Wednesday, 14 July 2010
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Time to face this rogue Frank Bainimarama
STEVE MCCULLY
14 July 2010
The Gold Coast Bulletin
English Copyright 2010 News Ltd. All Rights Reserved
COMMENT
THE expulsion of a second Australian diplomat from Fiji shows the grip held on the island nation by its military leader is not weakening - and is a reminder that Australia has little influence over his actions.
Since the coup of December 2006, army strongman and now self-appointed prime minister Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, has continued to tighten his stranglehold on the population of about 850,000.
He has ruled by decree, using a puppet president to rubber-stamp his edicts, allowing him to put a noose around the neck of free speech, freedom of the media and also his own people.
Military censors still rule in the newsrooms, prohibiting anything they perceive to be negative of the regime from being published.
A new decree says all media must be 90 per cent locally owned and this this week one of Fiji's three daily newspapers, The Daily Post, shut down indefinitely because of it.
The nation's oldest and most respected newspaper, The Fiji Times, wholly owned by News Limited, has about two months left to find a new owner or shut down - a tragedy because it was the one media outlet that had set journalistic standards and for more than 140 years had built up a credibility that would be the envy of most Australian newspapers. Yesterday, News Limited called in PriceWaterhouseCoopers to advise on a possible sale of the icon.
Among the many edicts from Bainimarama's ruling Cabinet is one that prohibits citizens from bad mouthing the illegal regime - either within Fiji or from overseas.
The consequences can be arrest and trial for sedition - somewhat ironic considering that was the charge Bainimarama himself was about to face before the coup for his continual threats against the democratically-elected government of Laisenia Qarase.
In another move, the government has confiscated a resort being built at Momi Bay after the NZ company behind it went into liquidation.
These retrospective foreign ownership laws and the confiscation of private property must send a chill down the spine of any existing or potential investor.
The latest diplomatic expulsion came because the acting high commissioner, Sarah Roberts, allegedly was interfering in Fiji's internal affairs and `conducting unfriendly acts'.
Most probably she was suspected of trying to influence member countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group - Australia and NZ are excluded from this exclusive club - not to meet in Fiji next month.
The MSG cancelled the meeting over concerns about democracy and `good governance' in Fiji and the news of the diplomat's expulsion came only a few hours later.
Having the MSG meet in Fiji was essential to the strongman, who saw it as a chance to widen his influence in the South Pacific.
So far Bainimarama has expelled four high commissioners - two from Australia and two from NZ.
After the expulsion of the first Australian diplomat, James Batley, Australia retaliated by expelling the Fiji high commissioner here.
This time around Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says there will be no retaliation. And therein lies the heart of the problem.
Bainimarama knows he can treat Australia and NZ with contempt and get away with it. Both countries have, since the coup, imposed travel restrictions on military personnel, their direct families and anyone serving in or appointed by the illegal interim government but apart from some inconveniences, the restrictions have achieved very little.
Australia and NZ have avoided cutting aid to Fiji on the basis it would just hurt the ordinary people and there was no benefit in that.
It may well be the case and so for the average Fiji citizen, life goes on pretty much as normal.
Fijians by and large are a pretty stoic people. They have accepted the coup - though most certainly don't like it - but they have focused on earning a living and creating the best life they can under the circumstances, rather than getting angry.
Prices have risen dramatically both as a result of the country's administration and the global recession. The currency has been devalued and there are unconfirmed reports the regime is raiding offshore reserve funds to help keep the country afloat.
A heavy reliance on imports is making the situation even worse.
Bainimarama knows that neither Australia nor NZ will use military force against him.
He equally knows that the Fiji people will not challenge him. He has 3000 fully armed and well-trained troops in permanent camps and another 7000 Territorials he can call on if needed.
He has taken the high ground, militarised the civil service and stifled his critics. His position appears as solid as can be.
Australia and NZ now really need a policy to confront Bainimarama's arrogance and the time for half measures is over.
Until someone somewhere gets very angry, Bainimarama will continue to do just as he likes, for as long as he likes.
Steve McCully is the Bulletin's night editor. He worked as Editorial Training and Development Manager at The Fiji Times from 2004-2007. He has been banned from Fiji by the military regime.
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