Fiji Times editorial of Friday Nov. 24th 2006 views the current impasse between Fiji Army Commander and the Fiji Government with an objective and unbiased description.
This is an excerpt:
The Fiji Times follow up article "No one is above the law" was written with similar template of unbiased reflection.Only time will tell
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Friday, November 24, 2006Things are coming to a head. The announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes that army commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and others are to be questioned comes as no surprise.
Image: Hughes with sunglasses and Fiji P.M on their departure to N.Z.
Mr Hughes said they are to be questioned on cases ranging from disobedience of a lawful order, plotting to overthrow the Government, sedition, removing a container of ammunition, stopping the President from instituting an inquiry into the commander's actions, the death of CRW soldiers and abuse of LPOs approval.
What is surprising is the timing of Mr Hughes' announcement, which many will see simply as a flexing of muscles after the military's call for his removal.
Even more surprising, is the announcement coming only a day after Prime Minister said the State does not regard the military as the enemy and that he believes they can sort their differences out through dialogue.
Mr Hughes' announcement that the investigation is not against the institution of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces but against the individuals involved will do little to allay fears of political instability.
He, as head of a disciplined service, knows very well that the commander is the service. To go against him is to go against an institution that all but a die-hard few will admit is last bastion of decency this country knows.
In truth, the people are fed up of the cat-and-mouse games being played by all those involved in the stand-off that is on the verge of bringing our nation to its knees.
Mr Hughes must be careful. Now people will question why it took so long to say he wants to question military officers over things like the CRW deaths, something that happened five years ago.
If there were difficulties, why was this not said before? Likewise, the military commander has repeatedly said 'he will tell all'. Well, perhaps now is the perfect time to get everything off his chest. If it helps clear the air, so be it.
If not, everyone must face the consequences of their actions.
But the nation should not have to face the consequences of the actions of a few as it has done in 1987 and in 2000.
We are fed up of that. It is time to grow up and move forward, as everyone loves to spout.
Everybody seems to want to uphold the 1997 Constitution, when it suits them. Perhaps now is the time for all of us to live the spirit of the Constitution. But, for that to happen, it must start from the very top. A token multi-party divided Cabinet is not enough.
Do we, as a nation, have the courage to shape our own future or must we always pick up the pieces behind those with ulterior motives. Only time will tell.
Fiji Police responded with a hastily designed correspondence in response to the Editorial with a scathing Letter to the Editor (F/T of 25/11) that, almost questions the Freedom of Speech of the daily publication. This is the excerpt of the letter:No one is above the law
VERENAISI RAICOLA
Saturday, November 25, 2006Many people were exposed as a result of investigations into the 2000 coup and the mutiny at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in November that year.
People such as George Speight, Timoci Silatolu, Josefa Nata, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Ratu Jope Seniloli, Ratu Josefa Dimuri, the Ratu mai Namalata Ratu Kolinio Tuirakiwaimaro, Captain Shane Stevens, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata and others have served their time in prison.
Some people, however, still live freely among us and some questions have remained on people's minds since 2000 as to why has it taken so long for police to lay charges.
That is not all and the investigation is hardly over.
The impasse and war of words between army commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and the Government has extended to Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes.
That was after the unlawful removal of a container of ammunition by the army without the approval of police from the Suva wharf two weeks ago.
Commodore Bainimarama later called for the removal of Mr Hughes because police said the ammunition was not cleared and the document used by the army to clear it from the wharf was falsified.
In a press conference this week, Mr Hughes said there was a need to verify allegations and misinformation which needed to be cleared for the sake of good governance.
Mr Hughes said they needed to get to the bottom of things on the latest from the commander and senior officers in the military to clean-up the Government.
"The investors and potential tourists to Fiji want to know what their clean-up means.
"I have to find out what it means in the context of my broader responsibility for maintaining law and order in Fiji," said Mr Hughes.
He said people of Fiji had a right to know what "clean-up Government" meant and it was not fair to keep making threats and then disappear overseas.
Mr Hughes said everyone have to wait for more than a week while the commander attends his grand-daughter's christening in New Zealand, which is hardly fair.
Meanwhile, the police investigation into allegations against Commodore Bainimarama has taken 28 days with effect from October 24.
The allegations include:
- Disobedience of lawful order,
- Seditious contents of public statements by Voreqe Bainimarama,
- Unlawful removal of container of ammunition from the King's Wharf,
- Alleged plot to overthrow the Government by the commander,
- Unlawful obtaining of approval from the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, to abort the commission of inquiry against the commander, and
- Investigations into the death of Counter Revolutionary Warfare soldiers who were allegedly murdered at the QEB during the mutiny on November 2, 2000, and
Alleged abuse of office by senior military officers in approving payments of LPOs beyond their authorised limits.
Assistant Commissioner of Crime Kevueli Bulamainaivalu said Commodore Bainimarama was supposed to be interviewed on Wednesday but he had left the country for NZ while the rest of the senior military officers were scheduled to be interviewed by Monday.
"It is important to note that the police have unsuccessfully tried to complete the investigations into the deaths of the CRW soldiers because of the difficulty faced by the instigators in securing the co-operation of the military," he said.
Mr Hughes said: "I also repeat a warning made a few weeks ago to the military, officers and troops in the military that they cannot commit unlawful acts and say I was only following orders.
"It does not wash with the CRW and will not wash now.
"Already there are five senior offices likely to face charges for committing unlawful acts in the past."
Mr Hughes said a vast majority of the service men and women in the RFMF were decent, honest and law-abiding honourable professionals.
"I do not want to see them step on the wrong side of the law; remember what happened to the CRW soldiers.
"Think of your families and I don't want to see costly mistakes happen," he said.
Mr Hughes said no one including the President could authorise anybody to commit an unlawful act.
"It is unlawful to do that and I plead to members of the RFMF to bear that in mind.
"The other thing I like to say is if there are plans out there to form an interim Government of some sort people need to be very aware of what happened after 2000 and the fate of those who committed an unlawful act.
"There were a number charged including former Vice-President Ratu Jope Seniloli. Mr Hughes warns that the same could happen again.
So he says if you have been approached and contemplating taking up a position in some interim government in Fiji, forget it.
It will not be in your interest and certainly not the country.
He said we have a newly elected democratic government and the people have voted it in.
"Remember the events of 1987 and 2000 and learn from it.
Mr Hughes said in 1987 it was widely speculated and indeed rightly so that there were people behind Mr Rabuka when he staged the coup.
"In 2000 there were people behind George Speight shadowy operating in the shadows manipulating and influencing rebels and we suspect the same applies here.
"There are individuals, groups and organisations behind this inciting and manipulating the commander and others to do what they are doing," he said.
Mr Hughes openly said the next phase was targeting these individuals and groups. In the interest of everyone in Fiji unlike what has happened in the past, these people will be dragged out of the sunlight for all to see, he said.
They will be interviewed in respect for their involvement.
"Tell everyone hiding in the shadows who were involved in the conspiracy to destabilise the Government that they need to think again because the investigation is getting closer to them," he said.
For the sake of good governance and transparency the public look up to the police force to allow justice to prevail.
At least, that way, we will still have some faith in our police force and the judiciary if not in the leaders who have failed us again and again despite our faith and trust in them.
Only time will tell
Your editorial today (24/11) cannot not be left undisputed. The content is an example of the persisting parochialism and continuing reification of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces and the commander as one and the same. It is not.
People need to understand that an institution such as the military as is the Fiji police, comprises of a group of individuals who subscribe to a set of values and ethos it is not beholden nor subject to any one person's whim even if he is the head of that institution.
The dignity and reputation of such institutions is a collective journey by the group to uphold and maintain those values and ethos despite influences (internal and external) to the contrary.
The game is much, much bigger than any one individual. That is the gist of what we mean when we say that our investigations are into the commander and a select few and not the military per se. I am surprised that a reputable paper such yours failed to identify and recognise that one simple difference. The respect that we, the Fiji police, have for the institution that is the RFMF remains undiminished. Its values and ethos are honourable and one that we too uphold, therefore, as I have stipulated above the RFMF as an institution is not the 'enemy' as you so plainly put it.
The even more troubling content of your editorial is that you saw fit to question the timing of the commissioner's comments at a press conference yesterday (23/11).
Where on earth have you been for the last two months? Were you in hibernation when the rest of the media (local and international) covered press conferences and statements by Commissioner Hughes with regards to the unlawful use of ammunition and sedition as well other matters pertaining to certain individuals in the RFMF?
What he talked about yesterday was an update to that. The only new thing he mentioned was the presence of those shadowy figures in the background who, for reasons best known to them, have seen it fit to advise the commander on this course of action. Yes, an investigation has started into these scurrilous few and we will, as Commissioner Hughes said, "drag these people into the sunlight for all to see". This cycle and mentality of coups must end.
As for the CRW soldiers, I personally had replied to questions sent by a reporter at Fiji Times last month regarding investigations into the deaths of the CRW soldiers and I told him that we did have difficulties because those wanted for questioning were either overseas or not at work.
I informed him that we had handed the Provost a To Do List that was given to us by the Director of Public Prosecutions and were given assurances that it would be done. So your assertions as to timing is so far off, you'd be hopelessly lost were you on a jungle survival course.
The wheels of justice may not move as fast as some would like but it does move and we, the Fiji police have managed to front up some of the more notable members of society in a court of law in relation to events of 2000. That should be proof enough that we do carry out our role without fear of favour. The law, you see is for everyone. What more can anyone expect?
Sylvia Low
Police acting director corporate communications
S.i.F.M has received an email that responds to the letter to the Fiji Times Editor by Police Acting Director Corporate Communications. The following is the excerpt:
The letter penned on behalf of the Fiji Police Force to the Fiji Editor which appeared on the Sat (25/11) issue may require more than grain of salt to digest. The sentiments of the Fiji Police Force are outlined in the correspondence dispatched by their Acting Director of Corporate Communications (ADCC), Sylvia Low.
It may be prudent to analyze the correspondence and apply the same argurment raised by the Fiji Police force to their own Ad Hominem caricature of the Fiji Times editorial of Friday Nov. 24th.
“The content is an example of an example of the persisting parochialism and continuing reification of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces and the commander as one and the same. It is not”.
Using the logic of the ADCC, the views of a head of an organization or incumbent should not be confused as being the policy for the entire organization.To filter out the innuendos and parody built into the letter, truth is ultimately found by reversing this lampooning rhetoric and substituting it to other cases.
“People need to understand that, an institution such as the military as is (sic) the Fiji Police, comprises of a group of individuals who subscribe to a set of values and ethos it is not (sic)beholden nor subject to any one person's whim even if he is the head of that institution.”
People of Fiji understand the general concepts of institution and their inherent roles in society. They don't need to be lectured on the ideals of a democratic Government; especially when lectured by an organization that liaises with a foreign Government to import arms and men. This same agency that prides itself as law enforcement, further colludes to circum-navigate border controls of a sovereign nation under the name of security(see media reports of Australian covert soldiers overtly disembarking an international flight to Nadi airport from Sydney and spiriting away the silver cases and soldiers on Fiji Police vehicles).
The checks demanded by international conventions which the state of Fiji is signatory to, was raised before in international forums. Was it not these same foreign Governments who demanded a strengthening of these borders; in light of the events of 9/11? It demeans all rational thinking people, when these floating series of judgments actually are a premise based on falsehood. One ponders, when exactly did the Parliament give Fiji Police Force authority for border security and customs enforcement?Absence of such approvals illustrate the abuse of office, using the elements of fear and ignorance of the law.
The idea of diplomatic privileges of pouches and packages claimed by Australian Embassy and Fiji Police is only tenable if; those items are declared as such at the custom check points along with the right paper work. Avoiding these border controls at airports mandated by International conventions, only makes a mockery out of the need for border control and divisions of responsibilities. Legal precedents such as border and custom enforcement are in place for a reason; first and foremost they make it more difficult to import dangerous goods into the country.
It defeats the purpose of border controls, when the visitors are conveniently detouring these lawful checks with the assistance of local law enforcement agencies. There is much danger in relegating border enforcement in Fiji to the local law enforcement agencies. Abuse and concentrated power without checks and balances are the main pillars of concern.
The bill of goods which the Fiji Police are attempting to sell to the public is undoubtedly damaged products, with an expired shelf life. The issue of the ammunition ordered by the Fiji military not being released from Suva wharf without an import license is among those pinnacles of mis-representation.
Is it quite difficult to comprehend the process of applying for an import license with the Fiji Police Force, especially when they clearly do not have the authority to issue such import licenses or charge fees that accompany such applications.
What the people of Fiji need clarification on is, advice when these tools of Governance not living up to that same degree of excellence, they constantly hold the public to.
People of Fiji really do not need any advanced theory of Governance to understand when the wheels of justice turn only, when prompted by the influential. People of Fiji do not need a consultant to point out the ugly reality that, the financiers of the 2000 coup are yet to be brought to justice. People of Fiji have seen perpetrators of the 2000 coup being convicted and released within months. People of Fiji watch with incredulity that, the reports of abuse of funds and corruption which the Auditor General's office keeps publishing year in and year out; has become more of an annual event that reminds the public of decadence and exuberance. Auditor General's annual reports further congratulate Politicians and officials in how they have skilfully escaped the gauntlet of accountability in Fiji, yet again.
The people of Fiji have yet to understand the legality of this. The people of Fiji ask where and what the law enforcers are doing when spates of religious intolerance, corruption and coup investigations are not investigated with the same vigor, enthusiasm and inertia as demonstrated in the sedition investigation.
Similarly, when this logic is applied to the Fiji Police Force case: the perspectives entailed in the Letters to the Editor authored by the ADCC, inextricably makes those perspectives her own. This obdurated view is not, does not and should not reflect the view of the entire Police Force. Furthermore the constant interviews by Andrew Hughes, are his own perspectives and not that of the Fiji Police Force. If readers feel some awkwardness about this premise, than obviously there is an ingrained flaw of the initial logic.
“The game is much, much bigger than any one individual. That is the gist of what we mean when we say that [Fiji Police] investigations are into the commander and a select few and not the military per se.”
The game alluded to by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, is indeed larger than one individual or one institution. Although the charges of sedition have been leveled at those individuals, the actual legal determination is absent and far from absolute.
It also paints the logos and pathos of the Fiji Police investigations into the allegations of sedition, as politically inspired. As with the idea of terrorism that one group may find a certain action closely fitting their idea of terror; yet others may consider it freedom fighting. The ruction of the 1987 and 2000 coups of Fiji reinforce this double edged sword. The Fiji public remembers only too vividly the ethno-nationalism ideals brandished by those who supported the putsch.
The extension of this rhetoric is: one party's idea of sedition could be another persons idea of freedom of expression. The danger in Fiji's case is that, the same Orwellian rhetoric is being maligned, misappropriated under these fears.
“The even more troubling content of your editorial is that you saw fit to question the timing of the commissioner's comments at a press conference.” This sentence proves that content of the editorial was pre-judged more for its timing, rather than its content.
What the Fiji Police Force determined to be troubling in the Fiji Times editorial (of Fri. 24/11) was nothing more than a sad reflection of the facts.
These dangers of impropriety, unduly manifest themselves as state policy and abuse state tools to enforce these dogmatic principles.
Club Em Designs
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