These sunshine democracy advocates, are also the same naysayers who seem to gloss over the undemocratic aspects of the existing race based polling system, which Fiji had used since 1970.
Other outstanding reforms, is the creation of Permanent Residency status for former Fiji citizens. The reaction to such proposals was a question posed by Fiji Times' website feedback page- Have Yor say.
The long overdue audit and overhaul of the Native Lands Trust Board (N.L.T.B) is moving in leaps and bounds. Fiji Sun article outlines the systemic abuses exercised by the NLTB.
This is the excerpt of the Fiji Sun article:
NLTB to face $1.5m payout-Guarantee of vehicles for IT firm under scrutiny
By CHEERIEANN WILSON
The Native Land Trust Board may be liable to pay further liabilities of more than $1.5million under another guarantee to Pacific Connex. This includes the purchase of three vehicles – a BMW, a Toyota Landcruiser Prado four-wheel drive and a Toyota Rav 4 – all valued at $353,500, from Credit Corporation.
The amount also includes the purchase of nine four-wheel-drive vehicles which cost $438,372 and other information and technology hardware and software. The NLTB provided guarantee for the purchases and if Pacific Connex does not meet payments by January next year, the NLTB will have to pay up.
Documents obtained by the Fiji Sun show separate transactions to the value of more than $1.54million. The NLTB, as guarantor, is obligated to meet all payments for assets acquired through Credit Corporation if Pacific Connex defaults or is not able to pay the full amount by January next year.
Minister for Fijian Affairs and NLTB chairman Ratu Epeli Ganilau said it would be inappropriate to comment on the deals because he has instigated investigations.“But carry on with your investigations and we will continue with the audit,” he said.
Other assets acquired by Pacific Connex include printers, 24 flat screen computers, four service data centres, eight HP units, 13 desktop computers, cyber driver CD writers, colour printers wireless network, modems, printers, fibre channel, servers, a laser printer, ultra power supply, processors, and other IT hardware. Ousted NLTB general manager Kalivati Bakani, who has been sent on indefinite leave pending investigation, had signed documents committing the NLTB to pay.
The Credit Corporation 'Notice of Assignment' states that the NLTB is obligated to pay if the agreement between itself and Pacific Connex is terminated before the payment of the amount is due. “This guarantee by NLTB shall be a continuing guarantee and shall be a principal obligation between the NLTB and Credit Corp and shall be available as a guarantee for the whole sum due and owing at that time by Pacific Connex to Credit Corp.”
The services of Pacific Connex as the exclusive provider of software called mySAP to the NLTB has been suspended pending investigations. It is unclear whether Pacific Connex has other income with which to meet its commitments. Managing director Ballu Khan could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Fiji Village's Yellow Bucket provides their analysis on these series of reforms and the possible effects on the nation as a whole.
Another round of developments to report, is the legal action taken by the SDL party, in pursuing a court ruling to declare Fiji's 4th coup illegal. This court action is briefly reported on, by an article by the Honolulu Advertiser.
However, the counter charge of treason is being directed at Laisenia Qarase for his attempt to seek foreign intervention with the Trans-Tasman nations. Although, the denials by the deposed Prime Minister seems to have fallen on deaf ears; particularly when the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand had been quite vocal in the media, for refusing Qarase's request to send soldiers to Fiji.
This is the excerpt of Fiji Live article:
Treason investigation on Qarase
Friday February 16, 2007
Fiji's deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase could be charged for treason should it be determined that he had called for armed foreign intervention to prevent the December 5 putsch, says Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Josaia Rasiga.
The police are currently conducting an investigation, which was launched after the military reported to police Qarase's request to the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers for armed intervention.
"Section 51 of the Penal Code deals with instigating invasion," Rasiga said. "Any person who instigates a foreign intervention into your country is liable for treason, if there is evidence to prove that he did it."
Rasiga said charges would be laid if the investigators get sufficient evidence on the intervention request. Australian Prime Minister John Howard confirmed last month that he received a "last minute" request for an armed interventionfrom Qarase but declined because he was "not prepared to risk the lives of Australian men and women needlessly".
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark also declined a similar request. Qarase has strongly denied making the request to both Australia and New Zealand.
Fijilive
Although, Qarase is claiming the existence of a military plot to frame him, as reported by a Radio NZ article; So far there is little to no debate, in determining whether Qarase had really requested foreign intervention. The niggling question is, whether Qarase's actions is legally considered to be inciting foreign invasion, using Section 51 of the Criminal Code-therefore constituting an act of treason.
(Above Image: Helen Clark [L] and John Howard [R])
On the subject of Trans-Tasman diplomacy and their attempt to interfere with Fiji, one of the prime reasons for the impromptu State visit to New Zealand, by the Australian P.M, John Howard- a visit that is also getting alot of attention from protesters. Attention which undoubtedly will derail Howard's re-election bid.
(Above Image: New Zealand Protestors Waiting for Australian P.M)
The media covering the visit by John Howard, were dredging up the recent cheap shots made by Howard against the Senator from Illinois, Barrack Obama-one of the democractic hopefuls pursuing the 2008 U.S Presidential elections.
New Zealand Herald's article reports that, during a press conference which New Zealand P.M, Helen Clark had attempted to shield John Howard from probing questions, raised by reporters.
"Jack Boot diplomacy" was a label tagged by the New Zealand Herald, regarding Helen Clark's aggressive response to the flurry of questions regarding Australia's involvement in Iraq, as reported by TV New Zealand.
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