Seti, Seti! MP OFa Swan and MP Naiqima Lalabalavu.
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Qarase and Indian Foreign Official signing agreements.
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Flooded Streets of Ba.
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The Wrong Way for Fiji Governance.

Fiji Police for U.N Sudan Mission
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Monasavu Landowner's lawyer, Messr Isireli Fa unleashes a full frontal verbal attack on Native Land Trust Board's history of dis-enfranchising Fijian Landowners, creating that legacy of frustration, that Politicians have used for their own advancement. Visiting American Judge drives home, certain legal concerns of constitutional infringement and perils, of any Government playing favorites with organized religous groups.

It these violations of Human Rights that is the cultural norm in Fiji Governance, which Fiji Human Rights Commission intends to rectify, once it
can confirm sustainable and direct funding from Fiji Government to demonstrate that it can meet their obligations ratified under international signed treaties.

It is alarming that, of all the law experts in Fiji Government, they have not placed any urgency to rectify the deplorable living standards in Fiji Prisons.
Precisely the justification, Judges give in releasing convicted Prisoners on bail. Maybe it's a retaliation to the actions of Fiji Prison Commissioner releasing the convicted participants of the 2000 Fiji Coup.

Recently donated Audio-Visual equipment to Fiji Ministry of Information's TV & Film unit, is only
a small quotient in creating a viable Fijian and Rotuman Ethnic TV programs.

Fiji Government must create incentives to lure creative core to Fiji's shores, if not it is fighting a uphill battle in competition with overseas T.V programs, Music imported by Fiji's broadcast media.

Here are selected letters to Fiji Times Editor.

Television deregulation

I REFER to the article where Minister for Communications Marieta Rigamoto claimed she asserted government support for freedom of expression and reiterated its commitment to deregulate the television industry.

That, she said, was evident in the awarding of a TV licence to Western Broadcasting Services Limited. She said the Government planned to establish a Fijian language channel with $70,000 of equipment from Japan.

If the industry is so deregulated, when will the second free station be licensed? — When major shareholders of Fiji TV say it's all right? — Never. When FLP returns to government — yes. The awarding of a licence to WBS is not deregulation of the TV industry. WBS will have the Australian-owned and operated PBS pay channel but it will be available only to a few viewers — those who can afford $50 a month subscription.

The majority of Fiji viewers will never be able to see it.

A donation of equipment worth $70,000 by the Japanese government is about 0.5 per cent of the $10million to $15million needed to set up a fully functioning, Fiji-wide TV service. At least that's what Ken Clark of Fiji TV said years ago.

What is $70,000 of equipment? — One digital video recorder or one camera?

How will the Fijian channel be broadcast? — Free to air as Fiji One or carried on Sky and PBS?

If it is the former, where will the millions come from for the towers, transmitter, transmission facilities, etc?

Why is the Government spending taxpayers money for a Fijian channel?

The Government will better serve everyone's interests by saving expenses and legislating to force all broadcasters to carry X amount of Fijian programs each week.

Other countries such as Australia and New Zealand maintain their localism that way.

Rani Sadler
Pacific Harbour



Education system

FIJI'S education system was imposed by the colonial powers. When the colonists left, it should have been modified to serve the needs of the people.

The changes would benefit many people. The system is failing, as proven by the high dropout rate.

Instead of having a long school break, the break should be optional. That would enable students who failed a subject to repeat it during optional break and enable them to graduate on schedule.

Students who wish to graduate early could take additional subjects during the optional break.

Because of a rigid and slavish following of obsolete rules set up by the colonial powers, a student who fails a subject is required to repeat all the subjects taken.

That is stupid, oppressive and serves no purpose. A student who fails a subject should be permitted to repeat only that subject and continue with the other subjects.

Why divide students into forms? Why not have a list of subjects that need to be completed before graduation and not be concerned about forms at all?

Students who need to work part-time should be able to do so and take fewer classes even though it will delay graduation.

Evening classes will enable working students including parents who were not able to complete school, to take classes.

It is unfortunate Fiji's school system is still following rules imposed during colonial times and fail to meet people's needs.

Frank R. Eggers
Albuquerque
USA

Already paid

THE Government might be attracting praise from some sectors.

It did a favour for the people by removing VAT from some items. In my view, the Government has not performed a miracle.

One will remember that when the Government came into power, there was no VAT on items and the rest was on 10 per cent.

For four years it collected 12.5 per cent tax on basic items. That is 2.5 per cent more than what we would have paid if VAT remained at 10 per cent.

What that meant was that by paying 2.5 per cent more for four years we have paid VAT for the next year at 10 per cent. The Government would have done better to refund what was already paid.

It could defend its action by saying that the increasing cost of living prompted the reaction but if I remember, the costs were quite high in 2001.

In those days, the justification for VAT was that the rich were benefiting more than the poor and that the Government intended to re-divert the money collected to poverty alleviation schemes. So what has changed now?

It is either that only few remain rich or the poverty problem has been solved. It could be that the Government failed in its plans.

At best, it can be described as four bad years of rule and one good year of campaigning. The reasons could be many but the bottom line remains that the wool has been pulled over our eyes and the Government is getting the credit for the things we paid for.

Ashneel Sudhakar
Ba



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Drop that weapon or I'll physically remove it. Images of post 2000 Coup events, in Fiji.
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Dwindling hope for Economic Reforms in Fiji.

The rumours of changing Fiji's electoral boundaries for 2006 General Elections must be done on an open manner transparent to all voters; not just the political parties.

Fiji Law Society is under the spotlight over the delay in investigating complaints by clients of it's members. Fiji Home Affairs Minister raises concerns of crime.
Maybe if, the Fiji Government policies actually did put money on these issues, instead of wasting public funds on propping up unsustainable native institutions that continue to abuse Fiji's archiac feudal system and there are entrenched elements, attempting to amend the 1997 constitution at the expense of a cohesive devlopment plan for all citizens of Fiji.

Memeber of Fiji Parliament raises a crucial point of what defeatsaccounting purpose of having a National Budget that S.D.L Government has forgotten, much to the dismay of development.
For instance, much of Fiji's rural areas are unreachable. Maybe it's the perfect time for Provinces to independently fund and construct their own roads and perhaps later charge the Fiji Government; road tax.

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Critical issues at hand for Fiji leadership.

National Alliance Political Party leader and also a Chief in his own right raises important points that all Chiefs in Fiji, should take heed:

Allowing educated commoners, to rise to the challenge of modernizing aspects essential for the bottom-up development and empowerment of the Fijian community.
Suva City Council incoming Mayor announces new programs to empower school leavers.

These political rhetoric may need an independent close inspection to ascertain it's merits.

Students are routinely used as a political football, like this un-paralleled action by Fiji Education Ministry to scale down
marks of students who sat for external exams; only adds to the public's distrust of Government.




Even international treaties signed by Fiji Government have been routinely overlooked due to the lack of enforcement of non-criminal laws like the Turtle hunting ban, conveniently set aside to celebrate a cultural event in Fiji.

This only antagonizes potential investors to Fiji. These double standards, is an indication of Fiji Government's indecision to remove the Dichotomy in entrenched mindsets. It also raise serious questions on Fiji Government's ability and integrity, to fulfill international obligations which they are signatory to.
A fact much touted by Fiji Foreign Affairs Ministry only when it only advances their Public Relation's profile.



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Endless Double Standards.

Monasavu Landowner's lawyer discloses the formula for wealth distribution when Fiji Electricity Authority pays up forced by the High Court Order.


Fiji Prison Commissioner is at again releasing convicted criminals before their debt to society has been served. This P.C is a puppet to the political masters, and only presents
a damaging picture of cronyism and interference to civil service.

It's only a matter of time before the rest of those convicted for involvement in the 2000 coup are given the same Compulsory Supervision Order.

Native Land Trust Board is scheming on another way to rip off Fijian landowning units, like they did to the Monasavu case. Landowners are more educated and will demand a place at the negotiating table.

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Power hunger in Fiji.

The issue of who owns Fiji's National Anthemn is really a petty argurement for Intellectual Property owners called 'The Composers' to decide. Not bystanders!

Not even the Fiji Government can deny that fundamental international respected right, from the composers.

Qarase finally bites the bullet and distances himself from the Methodist Chruch's intentions.

Senators have come to their senses and forces the Mining Industry under the auspices of Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Minister of Home Affairs has acquired the nasty habit of speaking from the orifice of the nether regions. In the process, has tarnished the image of the entire cabinet via stupid remarks in the media.

Another issue of concern to Stuck in Fiji Mud, is the clash between individuals anchored to archaic institutions which is a barrier to independent Government, free from social stratification, which prevents social mobility for commoners.

Cultural appeasing chiefs in Fiji by the Government, is the single biggest's reason why Fiji's economy has not risen much in 30 years.
Everyone else's career aspirations takes a back seat, so does the creative core needed to rejuvenate Fiji lagging export statisitics.

With all due respect to Chiefs, but there is no way on this planet, that Chiefs can successfuly undertake that intellectual taxing capacity for the nation.

The Real Estate Agent licensing Program is now under the authority of Ministry of Justice. Penalties for Religous sacrlileges in Fiji should now be more stringent.

Also an opportunity for Government
to live up to their international obligations of human rights.

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Total Ecclipse of Fiji Politics.

The expresion of interests by overseas cell phone companies has been delivered.




It is now, prudent of the Fiji Government to dismantle these monopolies.

Fiji Mercernaries in a company called Ronin High Risks is receiving alot of flak for work in PNG controlled island of Bouganvile.

Even the Fiji Methodist Church is on the war path in politics trying to blur the line between Church and State. Fiji Electoral Commission has unveiled some amendments to the Electoral Act. These new changes must also be communicated openly even to the rural dwellers in Fiji and overseas citizens.

This also raise the question of open information sourcing within the Fiji Civil Service itself.

It is only counter productive to have Government department turf battles done on the public's tab. When there are more pressing issue of concerns for Fiji like this complex problem of land.

Conservation of energy workshops is a nice way of extracting funds from Officials who lack the imagination and know how that accompanies their job description of their present positions. Fiji Media has been given a reminder of their obligations accompanying Freedom of Expression.

Two provocative letters from Fiji Times Letters to the Editor.

Mahogany deal

For the past three years, so much has been said about the mahogany deal but until today, the landowners are still not happy with what they received.

Just recently, the villagers of Naimasimasi, Savu and Sote put up a road block to signify their frustration over the unfulfilled promised made to them by the Fiji Hardwood Cooperation Limited. (FHCL).

The FHCL should always ensure that the commodity which occupied their land for a number of years, denying them the opportunity to farm for a long time.

Through observation, it is indeed unfortunate to witness that the poor landowners are caught in the economic and political web orchestrated by unscrupulous bureaucracy and red tape at the whim of big corporations and their local agents.

At first, the lands were given in good faith by the chiefs and their people, and it is the duty of the Government of the day to clarify to the landowners the economical gain and disadvantages.

The deal made to the mahogany landowners was symmetrical to the long- awaited Monasavu claim over their land compensation.

The President at that time was the late Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, who mooted the motion to his tauvus of Monasavu, who accepted the idea through the normal Fijian traditional protocol.

However, the architect of the million dollar project failed to clarify to the landowners, what they will receive as monetary benefits.

A few weeks ago, the Monasavu landowners won their court case through their lawyer Isireli Fa for the compensation payment of $52.8million, of which 10 per cent will be paid to him.

If the Government was really honest and genuine at heart in the development of Fijian resources, not much would have been paid to their lawyer as legal fees.

On the other end, the NLTB failed miserably to fulfil its obligation as custodian of all Fijian land as stipulated in the NLTB Act.

The Monasavu compensation claim is a precedent, which will agitate fellow resource owners to be more vigilant and prudent in the future.

The total area of the catchment is 25,075 acres. It contains Native Land crown schedule A and B, Forestry Reserve, as well as Native Reserve. Monasavu was vital to the nation.

It provides 80 per cent of Fiji's power, yet the landowners were deprived of the actual compensation for a long time.

As for the mahogany landowners there is a clear resemblance that their case is another Monasavu in the making.

The Fiji Hardwood Corporation Ltd, by pursuing their own end and greedy motive, are confined to pushing this frustrated people to demand for greater payment for the use of their land.

FHCL executives should also realise that time and tide are changing fast and the young educated landowners are taking over from their elders and it will be a new transition to the investors on the negotiation table.

The coup of 1987 and 2000 has tarnished the image of the Fijian people to be more cautious and prudent over their godly given received in the guise of economic development.

The Fijian landowners are always good at heart, and investors should always be honest and fair while negotiating with them.

After six weeks of hard work, some women and youths of Savu and Sote are not paid and have to wait for three more weeks despite the number of requests made to them.

The FHCL allowed Jale Baba to operate the banned circular saw in Kasavu and the recruiting of the people from outside to work as casual labourers while the landowners were given contract jobs.

Please FHCL executives, do not forget that the Mahogany landowners are people like you, who have university degrees.

They think globally but act locally.

Evarama Rokodrava
Tailevu

Smoke and Mirrors

Listening to the SDL budget I wondered if money allocated really will be spent or if it will be like other things around here just smoke mirrors.

For instance, two years ago we had a brand new dental clinic built here at Navatumali (Keiyasi) at a cost of $170,000 but it still stands unused, no dentists we are told but several months ago we read that government has no vacancies to employ unemployed dentists.

Smoke and mirrors, you see.

Despite past promises, our valley road, a major artery of Fiji's fresh produce, remains a bone-jarring disgrace that quickly destroys our trucks and bruises us and our produce.

The FEA was rapidly progressing up the valley until Cyclone Ami struck and the funds were diverted. But we had been told this was all European Union development funds.

How is it that EU funds could be diverted to hurricane relief?

More smoke and mirrors?

When asked about these issues the PM told us on his last visit that he would "look at it.''

We were fobbed off.

New Guinea is building a $20million project to process cassava into fuel, instead all we Fijians get is a $20million doll's house for chiefs.

There is also no talk of including cassava (which we Fijians grow) into the new biofuel project.

The SDL said all Fijians support the Unity Bill, but no one asked us.

The only people who did speak to us are the army whose stand we support.

I can name other beekeeping and farm assistance schemes that never eventuated but are more examples of SDL's smoke and mirrors.

Fortunately we have elections coming and politicians had better have some positive plans on roads, FEA, school conditions, expensive telephones and cassava biofuel otherwise we will send them a stronger message.

We want no more "we will look at it'' smoke and mirrors.

Anei Bale
Navosa

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Twisted logic by Planners in Fiji Government.

Fiji Labour Party unleashes criticisms at State owned companies that enjoy monopoly status at the expense at free enterprise.

Chaudary reminds Fiji Voters on the real bleak house brought about by flawed policies by Qarase's Government.

Commerce Commission is finding their form by forcing these same telecommunications companies to lower their rates.




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Rippling Incompetance in Management.

Suspension of Fiji Immigration Director has unravelled another can of worms for the Fiji Government.
The issue of Business community in Fiji being social responsible is a well used rhetoric seldom
applied in reality.
The Election Supervisor receives the full brunt of accusations by Political parties, especially in the eve
of Fiji's 2006 General Elections. It is prudent to have the incumbent, well versed in giving respectable excuses.


Fiji National Provident Fund's investment Company needs a closer look by independent experts, to ensure no number-fudging is being done.
COLA award to Public Service Unions has forced the Cabinet to react.
After the national summit in Education held recently in Fiji, changes to the curriculum is still outstanding. It sums up the general lack of Political will to resolve the digital divide in Fiji.


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Re-cycling Stupidity in Fiji Government.

Fiji National Provident Fund is now under threat to become the Government's piggy bank. Even though the Fiji Government is looking for funds it does not have a problem donating much needed money for Hurricane Relief.
Fiji Times Editorial also slams the dichotomy of appeasement ingrained in Fiji Government, that over rides individual's decision making to suck up to V.I.P's.



Vodaphone Fiji finalises 3G network with Ericcson, the Scandanavian powerhouse of cellphones. This affiliation does not
diminish the need to remove the monopoly in the telecommunications industry. Another disapointed landowning unit, only underscores the incompetance of Native Lands Trust Board, who are more
concerned for their bottom line than their obligations of landowners.

Rural school in Fiji;s tourism belt are blessed with I.T donation.




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Stratification of Class Warfare in Fiji Governance.

Fiji has now been offered places at West Point Military Academy, a mile stone in Fiji-America friendship.

Human Rights has now getting financial backing it deserves in Fiji.

Whether or not the Fiji Government of the day, respects those laws is another matter.

The re-naming of Suva Hospital Ward gets stiff reaction from the Southern sons of Kadavu.



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Echo chamber of Yes-Men in Fiji Governance.

Methodist Church of Fiji's proposed protest march against the Gay community has not received clearance.

Fiji Institute of Technology should be commended by Government by introducing classes for Dramatic Arts.


The proposed Media Broadcast Bill must have adequate provisions for local content in programs produced by them.





Fiji Police Commissioner has transformed the entity into a modern organization.

The proposed Terrorism Bill for Fiji must be open for discussion. Ignoring the public's input will have the same consequences that British P.M Tony Blair had with his own Terrorism Legislations, that were over ruled by Members of Parliament.

The chained growth in Fiji's rural areas is failure of imagination of all planners, despite the theoretical Millenium Goals touted by the distant U.N.
This re-occuring mistakes by decision makers in Fiji has created the catalyst for skilled migration from Fiji, especially in Nurses.

Fiji International Communications provider has employee relations problems.


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Riding the crest of laziness in Fiji.

Fiji civil service are reacting to reports of under performance by establishing health policies for employees.
Native Lands Trust Board won't challenge F.E.A court ruling to award payments to landowners.


Money laundering has reached alarming levels in Fiji says Ministry of Justice. Comunications Fiji Ltd, Fiji's leading Radio
Station company has reached another milestone of success.

Stuck in Fiji Mud hopes that this company, will invest more money in developing local talent, rather than importing Music that adds to Fiji's trade imbalance.

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Too many Legal loop-holes in Fiji Laws.

Director of Public Prosecutions should just get on with lodging indictments rather than commenting in the media.
After wasting public funds on consultants, the whole plan crumbles due to lack of consultations by Fiji Government.




Fiji Minister of Public Enterprise acknowledges reform is too slow in Fiji Civil service.





Racial criteria for Affirmative Action in school assistance is counter-productive to Fiji's future. Probably why the Fiji Governement economic indicators
are over-inflated due to Qarase's political grandstanding.

Stuck in Fiji Mud, echos this sentiment of unbalanced policies.

This has forced Village chiefs to raise revenue by penalizing laziness in his village.
Resort owner invests money in training resource owner village dwellers. An initiative that is the true gauge
of social entrepeneurship.





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Fiji Government - Running around in circles.

The rot within Fiji Agricultural department still lingers in the
form of farm implements in a vote buying scheme. Despite the new projects outlined, the same people will be the cause of faults.


Fiji Electricity Authority gives up Appeal for loss in Supreme Court ruling.
Catholic Diocese in Fiji calls for the end of racial hate in Fiji.
Tax Department in Fiji are worried about being Short changed by the black market.

Fiji Methodist Church's campaign march against Gays is discrmination says Fiji Judge.




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White Elephant policies in Fiji National Budget 2006.

2006 Fiji Budget fails to include Cost of Living Adjustment for Union demands. White Goods Tax will be transfered to the Fiji consumers say Retailers.

Fiji maritime logistics requires a radical shift to free enterprise.

Qarase wants a more efficient
Civil service, but is unable to swallow the pill of renouncing cultural appeasement to Native instruments who are the most guilty of under performing.

I.T professionals decry announced tax incentives for Information Technology and Communications sectors that only benefit monolithic commercial beasts. The reality of best standard practises that catches Fiji Tax Department in the state debt, despite the know how in accounting.

The same kind of embarassment in Fiji Customs Authority has serious implications and only underlines the depth of corruption in Fiji, due to the lack of disposable income.

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No Money, No Funny in Fiji.

New Bed tax in Fiji National 2006 Budget angers Hotel Owners association.

European Union pumps $F44 million into Fiji Education.

Fiji Labour Party stalwart, Messr Krishna Dutt says removal of VAT was an election ploy.

In any case, the poorer segment of Fiji are
certainly celebrating the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential items.

Fijian Affairs Board claims 1300 new scholarships in new provisions in the budget.

This archaic department of Native affairs, should be more concerned about the embarassment of the Monasavu debacle and their hand in creating a flawed affirmative action policies that gets a big chunk of public funds without oversight.

At the expense of developing a cohesive approach for all citizens in Fiji

.




Fiji's most successful business man Hari Punja says the 2006 Budget is excellent, however fiscal conservatism is required by all of Fiji Government policies.




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