Field Of View.

Fiji's Interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainmarama is reported in the local dailies, is in the midst of a second Indian sojourn; the current trip was funded by the Government of India.

Micheal Field, a disgraced New Zealand journalist and self declared expert of Pacific Island affairs, has published an article in Stuff magazine, titled "Fiji Abandons NZ for Indian Healthcare" insinuating that Bainimarama's real intention for the Indian trip was to seek medical care.

This medical reason, quoted by Field was loosely based on Bainimarama's alleged heart treatment at Wakefield hospital in Wellington, New Zealand. No source was offered by Field, to verify or fact check the article contents, with regards to the cost of health care contract for Fiji's military personnel. If Field's assertions on Bainimarama's treatment were to be true, this would mark a breach of patient confidentiality, by the hospital in question.

It would be rather selective on Field's part not to highlight the potential India has, in terms of world affairs. Unfortunately, what Field's article did accomplish was more of the same snarky cynicism used in drive-by-journalism.

Judging from Field's economical use of the truth as judged by the Broadcast Standards Authority of New Zealand, any information borne by Field should taken with a pinch of salt.

The excerpt of Fiji Sun article:

Bainimarama travels to India

Fiji Sun
3/26/2009

A government delegation is in India to negotiate a property made available for the construction of a new office in New Delhi where Fiji’s High Commissioner to India could work from. Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama left for India yesterday accompanied by Public Service Commission Permanent Secretary Parmesh Chand for the talks.

According to an interim Government statement, the visit is a follow up on an earlier visit by Cdre Bainimarama in February, last year to inspect facilities at the Batra Hospital in New Delhi for overseas medical treatment of RFMF personnel. He will be in India until next Tuesday and is also accompanied by his wife, Mary and a personal security officer. The trip has been funded by the Government of India.

“In this visit, the interim Prime Minister will also take the opportunity to conclude discussions with the Government of India on the purchase of a property made available to Fiji for the construction of a Chancery in New Delhi,” the statement said.

“The subject property has been offered to Fiji in view of the strong and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries at a hugely discounted price.”

Cdre Bainimarama in his capacity as acting interim Minister for Foreign, International Cooperation & Civil Aviation would also take the opportunity to meet the Minister for External Affairs of the Government of India, Shri Pranab Mukerjee. Ratu Epeli Ganilau will act as interim Prime Minister in his absence.

Unsurprising, the focus on India is not limited to Fiji. An audio documentary funded by Stanley Foundation's Rising Power series titled "India Rising" has added to the global interest in India's coming out party.

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