Qarase talks out of both sides of his mouth.

Qarase is following Chaudary's tactic of seeking overseas support. Even though the public treasury is almost empty.



Fiji's office of PubliC Prosecutions is suffering after the non-renewal of the Director's contract of an Australian Lawyer. This World Bank report does not factor in, the disparity in incomes to create that capital investment in Fiji.
S.D.L and National Federation Party announce their marriage of convenience, prior to the 2006 elections.

Fiji's double standards in Democracy.

The issue of Radio frequencies is attracting alot of attention lately in Fiji.
As well as Education and crime statistics.

I wonder if this former Minister's case was included.
Fiji Sun Political Article unleashes the progressive dialogue long absent from Politicians in Fiji.

Unfortunately in Fiji, there are some provinces that are perpetually ill-informed. Added to that conflict, Corruption is contagious in Fiji.
Kotobalavu gets cut down to size, for his unsubstantiated and equivocal ridicule of the U.N Development report.


Selected letters to Fiji Times Editor.

Elected reps

IT is a pity that people elected by the taxpayers to help them improve living standards and lifestyle are instead looking after themselves only.

They abuse taxpayer's money and when they are found out, nothing is done to them. They don't have to pay the money back or don't go to prison. Instead, they are transferred to other departments where they are likely to do the same thing again.

Who is to be held responsible? The minister should be charged. Even the prime minister should be charged because he is not doing his job properly.

Kris Sam
Suva

Tradition and democracy

THE expression "Fijian traditional values and democracy are at odds" as uttered by the powerful to the powerless should not be allowed to exist in the public domain unchallenged.

Tradition is an illusion of permanence. Nothing under heaven remains the same, including the evolved contemporary Fijian so-called traditional obligations of roqo-roqo, kau matanigone, tevutevu, bulubulu, somate, reguregu, bikabika, burua, bogidrau, vakataraisulu and for good measure the Bose ko Viti thrown in.

From the cradle to the grave, if it wasn't for democracy and western culture, the form that all these ceremonies stand for would be quite different in shape and form from that as were practised by our forefathers, let alone practised at all.

Ironically today if it wasn't for western technology such as refrigeration and air travel we would not have our dearly departed Tutua (grandfather) in the morgue while we waited for Tubuna (grandson) in the British Army to fly in from Germany and hence prolong our somate (funeral gathering) for two weeks while we the grieving feasted free on Tubuna's hard-earned pound, shilling and pence for the similar duration.

JB Raiova
Lami

TV monopoly

I write in support of Ken Stratton's views (FT 10/9).

The public desperately need a second free-to-view television channel.

Fiji One has abused its monopoly for far too long.

Of particular concern to me is the sports coverage. Currently, the viewers are denied weekly live sports and quality coverage. Even the delayed coverage weeks later is absurd, with rugby matches reduced to a mere 15 minutes and some sporting events not shown at all.

In fact, Fiji One has in the past, doctored the ABC signal to block out coverage of live rugby league.

It is amazing that such unethical behaviour has gone unpunished by the relevant authorities.

I urge the government to grant a licence to TV2. This will provide competition and improve the standards of television viewing in this country.

Eddie Chan
Nadi

Developing Zimbabwe

If Chaudhry or Beddoes were Fiji's Prime Minister, and they directed all taxpayer-paid Government advertisements to a struggling newspaper headed by their cousin and a known party supporter, would Fijians be sitting as quietly as they are at the actions of Prime Minister Qarase?

Why, when others do this, it is corruption. But when it is done by a Fijian Prime Minister it is all right?

Have we double standards of criteria to judge what corruption or righteousness in Fiji? What has become of the independence of Public Service Commission? Is it there to look after our interest or that of politicians?

Does it mean that if the Prime Minister and the CEO hail from the same province, then the provincial loyalty overrides professional itegrity?

There is the Methodist Church and other religious groups which jump into political arena at the slightest excuse and bash homosexuals and other minorities without any element of humanity.

Why are they remaining silent on this attack on fourth estate to available public revenue, and an action of the government which reeks of corruption?

Where is Transparency Inter-national? Just like The Daily Post, are they also licking the palms of those who feed them?

Will it mean that from now on The Daily Post and Volasiga will not publish anything against government with the fear of having the financial life support system being pulled out?

Is there now a new rule on free media operations in Fiji, with this new government's initiative of, "I scratch your back, and you scratch mine"?

This is a wake-up call to the media in Fiji to stand up for righteousness without fear or favour and stop this drift of Fiji towards Zimbabwe.

Thakur Ranjit Singh
Auckland
New Zealand.

Pathetic S.D.L/C.A.M.V Government track record.

CEO for P.M's office ridicules a U.N HUman Develpment report. It doesn't take Rocket Science to know that this C.E.O and his cronies are the biggest joke in Fiji.
Along with greedy chiefs who basically can't contribute to the hinderance of social mobility of citizens from their own provinces. The Fiji Law system depends on qualified lawyers who are experienced with white collar criminal cases seen frequently in developed
nations.

Fiji Sun editorial keeps beating the drum of rejection against this R.T.U Bill of Terrorism.
Sitiveni Rabuka should at least keep out of the media lime-light to preserve the last ounce of respect that Fijians have for him. I don't see why reporters keep referring him questions. Maybe it's just lazy journalism.

Rebuilding Fiji with People

Fiji Commisioner of Prisons needs to locked up himself. Setting the stage for a very lively 2006 elections in Fiji due to the inclusion of ex-cons to
the selection. Fiji Labour Party is turning up the heat in seeking sympathsizers in the International Conference. Not without
attention from Qarase and his Government of ill-repute by their own gross incompetance that has permeated the ranks of the Public Service Commission.

Maybe those scoundrels can learn a thing or two from Jo Mar- Mister Change Management.

Governance-Fiji style on Fiji time.

Fiji's diary industry is led by incompetant individuals who thrive on monopolistic arrangements that is detrimental to Fiji's economy.
The Commonwealth League of Natons are not amused with administration hangers on.
Fiji V.P's comments announces the Fiji Electoral process and begins moving the machinery of Government. Compounding that is the voter-rigging concerns which are bound to recoccur. International Finance Agency, the world bank gives the Fiji Government an "F" rating.
No withstanding the archaic laws which are an inviting loop holes for corrupt civil servants and politicians.
The Televison industry in Fiji is being cut-up by greedy investors with no real motive to protect Fiji cultures.

Fiji's battle againts the forces of Racial Ignorance

Fiji's economy needs Cost Of Living Adjustment, declares World Bank report.

Fiji's Attorney General has revealed his double standards that are racially based. He instigates investigations at a former Minister but ignores more blatant abuses who are Fijian, like the issue of No-bid contracts by the P.W.D to S.D.L cronies.

Fiji Law Society President speaks out at the direction of Fiji democracy. This reliance on bigger democracies for trade is questioned by a Fiji C.E.O for Foreign Affairs. That are the rules of the game in the big world of globalization, which Fiji needs to understand.

Unfortunately, Fiji civil servant's reputation has been tarnished by systemic corruption and closed office evaluations.

Qarase's iconic moment of stupidity.

Fiji Vice President shares his wisdom and vision to the Fiji media.
His multi-racial stance is the only way forward for Fiji.
Qarase is still spewing his hatred for western democracy even, though he is enjoying the fruits of it.

How stupid is this guy, who plans to run for another term. Can Qarase even walk and chew gum? Isn't Fiji's electoral system, a form of western democracy Mr. Qarase?

The difference between Qarase and Madraiwiwi is the same, as how day differs from night.

Crippling influence of old mindsets in Fiji Governance.

Frank Bainimarama Fiji's Army Commander's comment will be documented by Police and identifying the rest of the mystery group of elite Fijians.
Comments by Fiji Health officials sounds like he does not want to curb skill migration but endorses it. Qarase will get a private dressing down by Commonwealth Group Chairman.

Fiji Agriculture Minister has some good ideas which also need to be reconciled and applied first with the current Native lands administration.
The Law Society needs to be proactive with social concerns by it's members.

The simmering anger of de-franchised Fiji citizens.

Labour Party Chairman, is skeptical on the Cabinet committee's motives on discussing the A.G's report.
Fiji veterans know something about being hung out to dry by their own Governments who are dangling on the precipice of moral and financial bankruptcy.


Qarase's lip-service routine of straddling both, Fiji's feudal system and western governance and is fond of throwing stones when he resides in a glass house. The realm of Education in Fiji, has unveiled a dismal track record of negligence by consecutive Fiji Governments. Albeit Qarase's Government has eclipsed them all with perpetual his arrogance and corruption.

Muddy depths of Political Dis-information in Fiji.

Fiji Electricty workers are getting enough of empty promises by their management. Fiji's Labour and Industrial Relations Ministry has already declared that the stirke illegal after, the union had fulfilled it's legal obligations of providing 28 days notice, after negotiations have broken down.
It is apparenly clear that Fiji Goverment have a track record of dichotomy in applying laws, that de-franchise workers. Using cheap labour as an incentive for foreign investments.
The C.E.O of Goverment Ministries are getting scrutinized after the A.G's report.

The general atmosphere in Fiji is simmering with disgust with S.D.L/C.A.M.V's wallowing performance in Government. The Fiji Military has explained their logic
on the R.T.U Bill which has been painted as Anti-government by racist Politicians.

Fiji National Provident Fund is forgeting whose money they're investing. Time for de-centralize their monopolistic super annuation industry to get allow Fiji citizens to ship for the best deal.

Information gatekeeping halted in Fiji. Or is it?

Fijian Holdings Inc. should not deflect attention with their financial reports. Having an organization's own board room being used as a meeting venue for discussing criminal agendas (like Fiji Army Commander Frank's comment about the 2000 plot #2 of removing President Iloilo from office), is no trivial matter.
This Freedom of Information bill must be applied across the board, especially to the G.C.C too and other government departments, which Mssr Nalatikau and his spouse is a member.

The funny business of running a nation.

Fiji P.M's office C.E.O is still in denial, over the recent Auditor General's report and the 2000 coup investigations pointing squarely at Qarase and cronies. Obviously, this is predictable belligerance from Jioji Kotobalavu that comes at the expense of good, law obiding folks in Fiji.
Fiji's Vice President voicing what most non-Taukei think of the Chiefly Aristocrats in Fiji, whose place in Fiji society has become obsolete.


The same layer of stiff upper lips are responsible for the political instability in Fiji, simply due to their inability to change with the times.
Thus giving skilled individuals more of an incentive, to leave Fiji with their valuable experience and skills. Placing Fiji's much documented economy on a knife's edge.

Can the petty chiefs in Fiji fill that void?

If the Chiefs can't actually do some hard work then forget about the idea of superseeding the Parliamentry Senate by the Great Council of Chiefs.

Full Monty of power abuse by the Fijian layer of broke and morally corrupt Aristocrats.

Too little, too late are the cumbersome reactions from a Cabinet sub-commitee. Where the hell were their brains (of the Cabinet members) when all this abuse of power occured?

Chilling around the Kava bowl?

My suspicions were right on the directions of the 2000 coup investigations coming full circle to Qarase and his cohorts including his Chief Executive and Spin Doctor, Jioji Kotobalavu.

I'd also pull in Fiji Holdings C.E.O, Mssr Sitiveni Weileilakeba too and recommend an immediate re-evaluation of the company's role in the coup.

The Public will find the connections between Speight (the one facing the camera) and Fiji P.M, Mssr Laisenia Qarase. It's just a matter of time, baby!

Here we go, newly appointed Madam Minister of Information, spewing the used and abused argurement of race politics and class warfare that has left many Fijians chained to subsistence living while their chiefs drive around new S.U.V's.
The Fiji Education summit is a good idea on paper but who is going to pay for it? Especially after Qarase promises to build a war memorial.

Damage control for Qarase.

Qarase is a dumb fool for trying to defend Senator Tora at the expense of his political aspirations. Unless the 2000 coup investigation has a remote chance of leading back to Qarase and his cronies who continue to raise petty and diversionary issues in the Fiji media. Kudos for Labour Party Chairman for calling the socio-cultural dualism in Fiji, like it really is. Why can't all Fiji Politicians call a spade, a SPADE?


On the other side of the equation, there is a widening rift between Fijian Senators, all trying to jockey for political position. The Telecommunications players industry in Fiji should just suck up the financial difficulty of providing services. For certain their discomfort is nowhere as near as those of the poor consumers; who continue forking up hard earned money for pathetic services.

That would equally apply to Fiji Fiji's media broadcast industry too, which has has conveniently slipped public attention.

Fiji private security guards in Iraq, should seek a re-dress in their life-insurance compensation pakages to take into the account
the changing tide in war. Perhaps, a different rate for being shot than getting it, with an I.E.D!

Erosion of morality in Fiji Government.

The scoundrel Senator Tora defends his utter stupidity by tooth and nail and with hammer and tongs. One thing is for damn sure,
Tora is a marked man. Fortunately for Fiji he is probably the only landowner without any compassion or with entrepeneurial vision.

Qarase's comments against the Fiji gay community, will only decrease his chances of winning 2006 elections. But his loss in 2006, is already been determined by his laxity in curbing corruption and to some extent creating the environment for it, as well as the controversial R.T.U Bill.
My sentiments of ending the communal style of voting in Fiji,is reaching the ears of polticians.

At least, I'm not the only person advocatng an immediate change in State policies. So that all the best laid plans by Fiji
Government officials can evaporate, without they even realizing it.



Selected letters to Fiji Times editor, Tues Aug 30th 2005.

Time for change

AFTER the removal of the Timoci Bavadra and Mahendra Chaudhry governments through coups, a phrase emerged in response to the treacherous act and destructive aftermath that caused a lot of suffering felt among all races in the nation.

The phrase was "leave them alone... The day will come when Fijians will fight amongst themselves".

The process on the Promotion of Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill and the planned formation of a one united indigenous political party will indeed activate rivalry amongst the indigenous provinces or tikina.

Every one would want a piece of the cake or a larger slice of it.

Truly the Scriptural prophesy of brother against brother is now in force all over the world.

Scripture warns of latter-day false prophets, not only involved in religion but also in politics.

Iraq, Zimbabwe and Sudan are examples of how power, greed and corruption could easily be related to 1 John 9-11.

It is indeed saddening to see one of the friendliest, most kind and peace-loving natures of the Pacific adopt the wayward political lifestyles of other troubled countries.

I truly believe that it is time for a change, even religion organisations have become dominant. Let's make that change at the coming national general election in 2006.

Edwards Andrews
Lautoka

A-G's report

I AM a taxpayer whose contribution towards betterment of our living standards and provision of essential services has gone to waste.

I have a mouthful to say. I know that it is just a waste of time and effort as action will hardly be taken, but I still choose to stand up and tell the powers that be that enough is enough.

To PSC chairman Stuart Huggett, please stop the talk and show us your worth. Show us that you don't mince your word when you say that action will be taken. Come out of the "will be investigating" assurances and show us that real action has been taken to right the wrongs.

To PSC CEO Anare Jale, cut the talk that heavy disciplinary action has been taken.

We are not fools. We know what happened to those who were responsible for the agricultural scam and the fisheries scam and tons of other scams.

Minor fines and side transfers are not the solution to stop abuse. It's similar to the case of trying to straighten a dog's tail by tying it to a straight piece of wood. Once the wood is removed, the tail will go back to its initial state.

Think like management personnel and do justice to taxpayers' contributions.

To CEO Finance Paula Uluinaceva, stop advising others how to do their job.. Maybe those officers at the Auditor-General's Office have much greater knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in budget preparation than the ones doing it now.

We have continuously seen instances where budgets have been prepared to please the nation and later on, the ministries come up with requests for additional funding under the guise of additional funds required for unforeseen circumstances.

Most of us are literate enough to understand the politics involved in showing an improved picture at the initial presentation of the national budget and then asking for additional funding later. Stop the farce. The taxpayers of this nation are well aware of the outcome of your assurances. The remedy to avoid the abuse is to get rid of the rotten potatoes completely before they contaminate the whole bag.

There is still time if you start now. Just take the first step and the rest of the path will become clearer and the missing pieces will automatically fall into place.

Sarita Kumar
Suva


Law system

WHILE Senator Professor Asesela Ravuvu makes some good point from Fijian's representation of law metered down to criminal activity where Fijians are concerned, I am hopeful the Professor would wake up from his slumber and face reality that the world with its fast pace has no time for dreamers.

We in Fiji, like most country in the world, not only have taken on board western systems of law, culture, modes of dressing and language, we have take on its God as well. This is evident from the amount o preaching done at the Upper House, all in the name of God.

To do away with expatriates and Westminster system of law that gives assurance for justice to all citizens of this country would be tantamount to inviting Rwanda-type genocide here. If not, then it could lead to disturbances caused by civil servants' strike like that happening in Tonga now.

We should now accept the fact that in order for our country to survive, it is not the religion nor race or traditions that do it, but the strength and health of its economy. China is a good example. With its one and quarter billion population, not one case of a beggar is known to exist. Can we not then lay aside race hate and all other forms of victimisation and deal with the matter where it matters most hard honest work, peace, love and concern for the welfare for all citizens of our country?

Rose Lagakali
Nadi



Taxpayers' funds

ONCE again, the Auditor-General and his officers have highlighted cases of mismanagement and corrupt practices within our civil service. As a norm, the Public Service Commission is assuring taxpayers that action will be taken and those responsible brought to justice.

Year in, year out, the Auditor-General highlights the same nature of abuses and the same boring assurances are given by PSC that action will be taken to avoid such cases in future.

It stops at that, only assurances. Rarely any action.

PSC will use the blame syndrome and accuse employees who are no longer in employment and the Public Accounts Committee will be left to get answers from those who know little about the abuse.

After some time, taxpayers will have no choice but to accept the fact that our hard-earned contribution towards the development of the nation has gone down the gutter.

We will be made to fork out funds for the same purposes come another year - with officers abusing with little to no action taken.

The Auditor-General and his officers, who are toothless tigers, will continue to highlight issues that will eventually be swept under the carpet. The report will be thrown in a remote corner to be laughed at by the abusers.

That leaves us, the taxpayers, to wait for another national budget where the Finance Minister will come up with his same old boring nation-building strategies and further burden taxpayers with an increase in VAT or income tax to reduce government debt and generate more revenue for the Government.

All this leaves taxpayers wondering whether this vicious cycle will ever end.

It is generally not possible to have a nil abuse scenario within the civil service because of the varying calibre of people employed.

But repeated abuse shows us how seriously PSC and the responsible officers of the civil service treat the Auditor General's report.

A famous English saying states: "Only a fool lets itself get fooled in a similar situation twice".

The abuse culture will not stop until we get the right people to manage our civil service. On a daily basis, we see the introduction of new faces in the civil service but we hardly see any vacancies being advertised.

We have graduates roaming the streets looking for work but the civil service has abundance of management personnel who have just made it through secondary education.

The PSC needs to clean its house first and see the right calibre of people chosen to do the job demanded of them. Do something constructive to justify the wages you take home.

Otherwise close the Auditor-General's Office so that taxpayers can at least be saved from paying people whose views will eventually count for nothing.

Rakesh Chandra
Nasinu

Fijian coalition

The response by Radike Qereqeretabua to Jone Raiova's letter (FT 18/8) cannot be perceived as merely observatory. I would like to make a few genuine stabs at Radike's verbatim and in the process educate readers.

Radike identifies Jone Raiova as an Army officer, which is the initial tangent in his letter that has nothing to do with the issue.

Radike proudly labels the group as "our" which by implication means he is a member or closely associated with the group.

Radike defends the concept of the grand coalition and drops in a few idioms that are more related to personal growth than national policy. If Fiji were to try and try again, like Radike insisted. Does he also mean trying another coup.

"It is, that National Unity is the ultimate desirable goal to ensure our national success in the longrun (sic)..." That statement proudly stated by Radike is self-contradictory. It is hard to fathom how the group can achieve national unity when the group's own core beliefs alienates themselves into this mono-racial Grand Coalition. Last time I checked Fiji was a multi-racial country.

Radike believes this grand coalition were given the mandate by God, to negotiate all matters pertaining to the Fijian race. I commend the group's initiative however, they don't' speak for all Fijians and never have. To suggest otherwise, will be the crowning excellence of fabrication.

I agree Fijians need to work together but working together does not mean voting together. Radike misses Mssr Raiova's main point of 'thinking out of the box', politically speaking. Fijians, like any other educated individuals, must have the freedom to tweak the variables in the political equation.

Fijians have learnt to demarcate political issues with cultural ones. This grand coalition attempt to blur that line, prior to the 2006 elections.

Radike and his group have been mis-representing facts to uninformed Fijians. Their words, in essence mean that there are no alternatives to the status-quo. Equating Fijian political unity with national unity is the main crux of their mis-information campaign.

I would like to remind Radike, if Raiova's comments were too intellectual for the group. Then it would be unbecoming for the Grand Coalition Initiative Group to be even considered leading anything in Fiji. Other than the applications of the garden fork, in a agricultural assistance program.

If the grand coalition was analogous to rugby players attempting to represent Fiji in the up coming world cup. Judging from the players on his team, I seriously doubt if they have the youth, adaptability, mental dexterity or physical fitness to warm anyone's reserve bench let alone Wayne Pivac's.

Radike's quote of George Washington ".. to persevere in one's duty is to be silent.." cannot seriously be applied to questions of political freedom.

I would like to juxtapose a quote from Federalist Thomas Paine in his article "The Rights of Man" published in 1791.

The mutual dependence and reciprocal interest which man has upon man, and all the parts of civilised community upon each other, create that great chain of connection which holds it together.

The landholder, the farmer, the manufacturer, the merchant, the tradesman, and every occupation, prospers by the aid which each receives from the other, and from the whole.

Common interest regulates their concerns, and forms their law; and the laws which common usage ordains, have a greater influence than the laws of government.

Society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government. To understand the nature and quantity of government proper for man, it is necessary to attend to his character.

As Nature created him for social life, she fitted him for the station she intended. In all cases she made his natural wants greater than his individual powers.

No one man is capable, without the aid of society, of supplying his own wants, and those wants, acting upon every individual, impel the whole of them into society, as naturally as gravitation acts to a centre.

Reginald Lutu
Sacramento
CA

Muddy state of cronyism in Fiji.

Fiji's crooked Attorney General must be worried about Frank comments on re-cycled Politicians plotting the removal of President Iloilo. Added to Fiji's conodrum is the thieves in Fiji Public Service's higher salaries commission who freeze any ideas of a living wage in Fiji so that their own salaries can be increased.
It is now evident that the culture of greed and abuse has invaded all sectors of Fiji governance and private sectors.
The comments of denial by F.N.P.F boss is predicatable belligerance. Or maybe just moody blues?



There is progress in Fiji like this National Disability policy.

Can Fiji also have an energy policy, water usage policy, Tourism recreation services policy, National Living wage policies and Science and Technology policies too?

Here's my pic for Summer blockbuster.

Intellectual deficit and Truth Impairedment in Fiji leadership.

Unions in Fiji (City council and Electricity workers)are gearing up for strikes, hammering in another nail in S.D.L's political coffin.

The legal reform in Fiji is taking the slow boat to China despite pathetic denials by the Chairman, Mssr Qetaki.

It's also time for these type of commissions in Fiji to be accountable and transparent for it's performance like any either branch/tool of Government.

The New Alliance party will be a force to reckon with in the 2006 elections. Although the initial support may appear feeble. In other words, "No biggie!".

Fiji's lush and pristine environment is at risk by the tailing of Emperor Gold Mines.

Let's have an independent research on the resident's concerns, not P.R from the company's spin doctors.

Finally, the issue of this War Memorial in Fiji.
Firstly, Fiji has not declared War on any country. Fiji soldiers have been routinely used to fight other nation's wars. So why does the Fiji public have to pay for a memorial?

Shouldn't United Kingdom, the biggest recruiter of Fijian males, show some sort of symbolic gesture of appreciation?

Secondly, It makes no financial sense, even though it looks good on paper.

Fiji Government is already living beyond it's means. Now to finance this
War Memorial, Fiji Government will borrow yet again from Fiji National Provident Fund.

While the basic services for the Fiji public are
non-exisitant.

Finally, the rationale and idea source of this War memorial may have been just, strategicaly suggested by a Building construction firm in Fiji in collusion with the same layer of old farts in Fij Government. I suspect it's just another vote-brokering deal, to lure in former soldiers.

Nothing but an Agricultural assistance scam with an emotional twist, since S.D.L can't use their favourite argurement of Fijian supremacy anymore to the desired effect. Simply because of the fact that Fijians are better informed now and won't suscribe to race based politics.

How to end, the cycle of political dis-enchantment in Fiji.

The abuse of authority in Fiji, is spreading like the plague.
When there are no funds provided by Fiji Government for their stately responsibilities, as they swore to uphold. Social programs like legal assistance and poverty welfare for citizens are not met. As usual there is more money available to foot the bill of visiting foreign dignataries but not citizens.

That is the crappy degree of excellence in double standards
and ass kissing that is so prevalent in Fiji governance, at the expense of everyone else.

Some idiotic recycled politician is actively involved in racial inspired attacks on religous buildings of worship in Fiji.

Commisioner Hughes have them drawn and quartered.

I suspect the Politician involved, whose last name begins with the letter: "T".

This despotic institution called N.L.T.B has no ounce of honesty left and they want more. The organization
has sidelined the commoner's interest for too long. Why does Fiji Government listen to their proposals, instead of the real landowners?They are the catalyst for the landowner's resentment, which has been skillfully deflected to the Indian population of Fiji by the same institution with the assistance of stupid chiefs and politicians. Think about it, Fiji has managed 3 coups in 18 years.
N.L.T.B and the other instruments of abuse are the common denominator during the same time period.

University of the South Pacific is educating the indigenous guardians of traditional fishing grounds in Fiji on environment sustainability.

Why stop there U.S.P?
Please educate Fiji land owning units on financial sustainability using their god-given resources.

That particular type of knowledge empowerment programs must be done on a wide-spread scale in Fiji, using the educated Fijians in urban areas. Give them tax incentives to undertake this task Fiji Government!

The future of Fiji can realistically move from this,

To this.

Toothless Laws & Gutless Institutions in Fiji.

The comments of Senators and Chiefs supporting the 2000 coup, by Frank Bainimarama has been echoed by 1987 coup leader Mssr Sitiveni Rabuka.
Corruption is thick in Fiji Customs.

Fiji Parliamentry debate has sunk into mud slinging by uneducated Senators.
Native Lands Trust Board is deflecting the blame of pathetic service to the landowners, which is a sorry excuse.
Fiji Landowners can make up their own mind and don't need a proxy organization that has outlived it's usefullness.

Especially when Fijians are learning the rich potential for entertainment, just give them a big-break and forget about propping up traditional state funded institutions. Fiji Telecom's Connect, the nation's only Internet Provider are getting stiff competition by Unwired with their Wi-Fi network connections. How about removing Fiji T.V's monopoly too, after the Government recently declared to open up the telecommunications industry.

Time to break the mould of blind tradition in Fiji.

The muddy style of democracy in Fiji

New U.S Envoy comments on Fiji's democracy, which is still in its' infancy.
Even Fiji military Commander can attest to that fact, reacting to speeches by old farts in Senate, who continue to spew racial hatred. Widespread denouncement still vibrate at Fiji Auditor General's recent report.
The issue of holding dual offices in Government and Provincial Councils has been laid to rest. More better for the rural inhabitants who have been ripped off this very arrangement. Especially by Fijian Affairs Board, who are the root cause of chained development in Fiji villages.

Native Lands Turst Board finally acknowledges corruption within it's ranks. I demand a overhaul and immediate dismantling of N.L.T.B, so that land management powers should be given the landowning unit. All Government appointed Senators must be evaluated, to prevent comments revealing their gross intelligence deficit. Proposed reform in Fiji Civil Service must be given high priority by Fiji Government before the 2006 elections. The end game for S.D.L has been unravelled by this brilliant counter-point article by former Fiji resident and human rights activist, Mssr T.R.Singh of New Zealand. It is abundantly clear that everyone in Fiji will not tolerate interference by this shadowy group of recycled politicians.