Lead Us Not Into Temptation.

The Fiji Times Editorial of Saturday Jan 6^th 2007 titled “Civilian Rule” warrants a reply.

The choice of the opening sentence of this editorial: “The military has dropped another bombshell with the swearing in of Voreqe Bainimarama as interim Prime Minister.” These words speaks volumes, of the decision by Fiji Times to defer the news of President Iloilo's reinstatement, to a subordinate and subservient role in the second sentence. The editorial assumed that the Army Commander had “negated his intention to hand back power to legal authority.”

The cynical commentary of the military's intentions to normalize the operations of the machinery of government may have conveniently escaped the Fiji Times' observations. Including the hostile takeover of the most coveted offices in the civil service that had been rumored to be so inept that, the million dollar expenditure as documented in the Kunatuba-agricultural scam case was overlooked by career civil servants and other rudimentary oversighters; who either had no scant idea whatsoever or were neck deep involved, in determing how the lion's share of the Fiji Government's budget was to be being spent so lasciviously.

Fiji Times Editorial further claims that, “The military therefore misses a golden opportunity to hand back to a civilian government but also returning the country to constitutional rule.”

It is appreciative of the Fiji Times to have their own schedule of when and how changes in the military clean-up campaign within the Fiji Government should be orchestrated.

Unfortunately and undesirably theirs is not a schedule tailored to meet the military's strategic plans for the nation of Fiji. Rest assured the military has duly noted the Fiji Times' keen interest in political timekeeping and how the milestones of governance should be aligned. As such, the transparent intentions by the Fiji military to fast track legislation for Freedom of Information in government machinery demarcates the abilities of the Fiji Times and the military. Suffice to say, highlighting the inabilities of the Fiji Times to achieve anything in governance, worthy of mention or remembering by the average citizen. History remembers players with heart, not observers with profit induced agendas.

It is also indicative of the apparent absence of such media persuasion, when the SDL Government was holding the reins of power and proposed to pass the controversial Bills of R.T.U, Qoliqoli and Lands Tribunal respectively.

Why did Fiji Times avoid protesting the reports by voters of impropriety during the 2006 elections, using their same method of sensationalism used to defend the Media Broadcasting Bill? Their mulled silence is similar to Fiji Times' token reaction to the decision by the SDL Government to increase Value Added Taxes from 12% to 15%.

No marches, protests, sit-ins were evident in the aftermath of the 2000 coup in Fiji. Nor did we see a symbolic stand by the Methodist church, or from the current leader of the World Harvest Center church in Fiji, Pastor Suliasi Kurulo against the spate of religious intolerance seen in the numerous Hindu temple defilements in Fiji. Even though, Pastor Kurulo was tempted to speak on the political developments in Fiji, by labeling the re-instated President a puppet as reported by this Fiji Live article; this does not exclude Pastor Kurulo from ignoring, glossing over and de-emphasizing the rectitude absconded in the 1987 and 2000 coups.

Church shocked with President's support
Friday January 05, 2007

The Christian Mission Fellowship in Fiji has expressed shock at the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo's statement yesterday that he supported the overthrow of Laisenia Qarase's government.

CMF president Reverend Suliasi Kurulo said it is apparent that Ratu Josefa is a puppet of the military.

"The whole country is reeling from the shock of these unfortunate utterances. To hide behind the rational of culture is unacceptable.

"To say that he (Ratu Josefa) would have done exactly the same thing is a crying shame," Rev Kurulo said.

He said the contradictory statements from the President before and after the illegal takeover by the Commander, confirms that he is being used by the army.

"His statement has made a mockery of our culture, government and our beloved nation."

Ratu Iloilo yesterday said he backed the military takeover saying the RFMF acted in the interest of the nation and upheld the Constitution.

Fiji Times Editorial concludes with this stylistic flaw of beginning a sentence with the word “And”.

“And there is no other effective and acceptable way forward of achieving that than for the military to disappear from the scene and allow reputable and honest civilians to take this nation back to constitutional rule. Period (sic).”

If it wasn't for the disparity of the Fiji Times' editorials skewed intentions, one would have already concluded that, this was the prime objective of the Fiji Army. These particular nuances in understanding the Army's intentions, is at times clouded by externalities and other pressures that may affect the slant of the media piece and underscores the major difference between those who get paid to write and those who live to write on Fiji.

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