Friday, February 16, 2007

What Goes Around, Comes Around.

The decision by the interim Fiji Government to change the electoral system from the race based one, described by International Herald Tribune article, is indeed a mile-stone of unprecendented reform; despite the Holier-than-Thou attitude reflected by a minority of detractors within the Fiji Law Society.
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.

Club Em Designs

Monday, February 12, 2007

To the Victors, Go the Spoils!


The IRB tournament at Petco Stadium in San Diego has made an indelible impression on local observers and players alike. National Public Radio (NPR) item had covered the event, with their colorful audio production with a brief introduction on the Rugby basics, the exotic names of spectators, with tiny sound clips from the San Diego tournament.

Fiji Rugby Sevens team are still savouring their first IRB 7s win on US soil, despite being denied a victory for the last 3 Grand Prix circuit outings in Southern California. Undeniably, the revenge against the Samoan team is indeed sweet for the Fiji team, which displayed resilience and tenacity.



Fiji Times Editorial jumps onto the bandwagon of Fiji's win, with a fairly pedestrian angle of the uniting factor for these sporting victories. San Diego Union Tribune's article covered the story of former Fiji residents, cheering and singing for the team. Harnessing this unity, will be a subject worth exploring, to facilitate the Fiji's forward momentum post-2006 coup.



Club Em Designs

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Across the Great Divide.



Barak Obama, Senator from Illinois and the charismatic Democratic, recently launched his campaign for the 2008 Presidential elections in the US. Obama rallied enthusiasts against the back drop of the old State Capital, the same venue where the President Lincoln gave his infamous "House Divided" speech. Senator Obama's speech announcing his candidacy, encompassed a similar tone of eloquence, weaved expertly with a forthright perspective for the future.





ABC International article reports that Australian Prime Minister, John Howard "slammed" the Iraq plan outlined by Senator Obama and continued to bad-mouth the Democratic caucus as a whole. These crude comments is certainly creating tidal waves on both sides of the Pacific and only adds support to the popularity of Obama, the 2008 candidate for the office of U.S President. The remarks of the uncouth variety made by the Australian P.M was corroborated by Radio New Zealand, Globe and Mail.com, CNN, NEWS24, Guardian.

Television New Zealand (TVNZ) article's opening sentence, described John Howard's gobbing off as setting off a firestorm. An article by newspaper "The Australian" also used the analogy of a 'firestorm'. CBS article went further and singled out a particularly apprehensive line, in John Howard's comments.

"If I were running al-Qaida in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory, not only for Obama but also for the Democrats."


Australian P.M defended his comments in a report by Herald Sun, as well describing the opening salvo of flak by Opposition leader, Kevin Rudd.

Melbourne's Age Newspaper article reports that, Senator Obama's laughs off Howard's comments with a classic comeback.

This is the excerpt of the article by AGE:

Obama laughs off criticism by PM Howard

February 12, 2007 - 7:04AM

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has laughed off criticism from Australian Prime Minister John Howard about his plans for an Iraq withdrawal. Mr Howard said Obama's plans for Iraq "encourage those who wanted to completely destabilise and destroy Iraq."

The American senator has called for capping the number of US troops in Iraq and then beginning to withdraw them on May 1. He wants a complete pullout of combat brigades by March 31, 2008.

"It's flattering that one of George W Bush's allies feels obliged to attack me," Obama said, about Mr Howard's comments. Obama said that if Howard did not think enough was being done in Iraq, he should consider sending more Australian troops to the region. Australia has about 1,400 troops in Iraq, mostly in noncombat roles. Obama formally announced his candidacy in Illinois on Saturday.

Obama's religious background has come under scrutiny because he attended a Muslim school in Indonesia from age 6 to 10.

Obama, who was born in Hawaii, lived in Indonesia with his mother and stepfather from 1967 to 1971 and subsequently returned to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandparents.

Obama now attends a Chicago church with his wife and two young daughters. "If your name is Barack Hussein Obama, you can expect it, some of that," he said. "I think the majority of voters know that I'm a member of the United Church of Christ, and that I take my faith seriously," he said.

Obama dismissed concerns about his own security, but would not answer directly when asked if he had received death threats. The Reverend Jesse Jackson drew early Secret Service protection because of violent threats during his campaigns for president in the 1980s.

"I face the same security issues as anybody," he said.

© 2007 AP DIGITAL


What does this have to do with Fiji one may ask. One simply has to view the 2008 race, as an early indicator of the changing political climate. The same climate that affects Australia's foreign policy, Fiji and the rest of world in one indirect way or another.

Club Em Designs

Friday, February 09, 2007

Going Native.




Survivor Fiji was launched by CBS last night and already there is a first victim of the tribal council, described by WCBSTV article. The reviews of the first episode was made available by BuddyTV article.

There is also a similar thread between the Tribe Wanted project on Vorovoro and the reality show-Survivor Fiji on a nearby island.

It would be interesting to the see Survivor group meet and greet their Tribe Wanted members. Perhaps a real detour from the script, a detour that will inevitably discover and form some ethnological theory of tribes and their interaction.



(Above image: Islands off Macuata coast.)



(Above image: Macuata coast with a North-South view of Fiji Islands.)


Both venues are in the Macuata province and the parallels between the two genres is a simple premise: bringing together different people with different backgrounds and attempting to create a tribal identity. An identity that binds each member's strengths and weaknesses, with the objective of creating a society, forming their own ethos.



Regarding the audit of Native Lands Trust Board, investigators may have to re-visit the complaints raised by the Macuata landowners who claim that, the NLTB acted unilaterally to approve the filming, with little market priced compensation given to the landowners.

The sentiments of these landowners in the Survivor case, add to the litany of other complaints, legal actions made against N.L.T.B, despite the efforts to use their website to add a special page to downplay such accusations by landowners.



One such case, was the land mark ruling by Suva High Court which gave the landowners clearance to apply for logging licenses on their own land. NLTB have annouced in an article by Fiji Times that, they will pursue an appeals proceedings against the ruling.

This is the excerpt of the Fiji Times article:

Right of redress in timber case: NLTB Mahogany

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

FIJI Hardwood Corporation Limited and government still have the right to pursue redress on the ownership of mahogany, says the Native Land Trust Board.

NLTB deputy general manager Semi Tabakanalagi said this was not even considering that if a licence was issued under thelaw, theForestry Department or the Government would be the regulator tomonitor or manage the harvesting measurement of logs before they were taken to the mills.

Mr Tabakanalagi was commenting on a High Court ruling allowing a landowning unit of Serua to be issued a license to harvest mahogany planted on their land by the FHCL.

"NLTB through the approval of its Board in 2005 had put in place a mahogany way forward roadmap to regularise or correct theirregularity that was made in the issuance of 99-year lease in the 1960s rather than 50- year leases,'' Mr Tabakanalagi said.

"We had tried to implement this for Atunaisa Tiva's Mataqali Naua, who decided to log the mahogany themselves. WhenNLTB refused issuing the licence, it resulted in the court caseand hence the recent decision by the High Court. NLTB has always been of the position that through leasing it will create a sustainable economic and environmentalprovider to landowners rather than just one off harvesting with no guarantee of replanting in the future," Mr Tabakanalagi said.

"With the recent High Court ruling we will relook at our position again and inform the NLTB Board in its next meeting for its direction on the next step from here.

"It will either be complying with the recent ruling to issue a licence to landowners or appeal the decision to the Fiji Court of Appeal," he said.

With regards to the Nukurua mahogany plantation in Tailevu, Mr Tabakanalagi said mahogany reafforestation was a government policy initiative in the 1960s.

He said it was undertaken with noble intentions as an investment that would generate business not only for the landowners but to the national economy as well during harvesting.

"The said mahogany (in Nukurua and Serua) are now ready for harvest and the past administrations have tried their utmost best in addressing the competing issues in particular from landowners leading to the setting up of FHCL and Fiji Mahogany Trust and provision for 10 per cent shareholding in FHCL by landowners," he said.

"All the mahogany leases have not been surveyed and leads to certain irregularities in the lease boundaries, whether some leased land are in reserve and in the case of Mataqali Rara in Naimasimasi their claims for the return of their old village site or Yavutu," he said.

Mr Tabakanalagi said the recent ruling now again gave another new dimension to all the issues relating to the mahogany leases in the country.

Meanwhile, Native Land Trust Board is trying its best within thelaw to collect arrears or lease rentals from tenants.

Mr Tabakanalagi was reacting to threats made by Tamavua villagers who were going to evict tenants with lease arrears.

Deputy General Manager Operations Semi Tabakanalagi said NLTB had established a new Department late last year to deal with arrears.

"The Department has put in place strategies in how best to curb this recurring probleminclusive of visitation and discussion with tenants, liaison with employers and Fiji National Provident Fund for deductions, part payments, incentives such as writing off interests, joining the Credit Bureauand other ways to tackle the problem in this short term," he said.

"We are looking at putting extra effort both manpower and resources this year 2007 to boost our drive for collection of arrears.

"Other ways include strengthening our powers within the Native Land Trust Act (NLTA) to empower NLTB on rental collection as similar to Municipalities (rates) and FIRCA (tax payments).

"In the long term we are looking at getting the best clients on board which means proper screening of applicants for future lease contracts," Mr Tabakanalagi said.



This view was based on the Fiji Sun article that was published on this website for fans of Survivor Fiji. The excerpt of the Fiji Sun article is as follows:


$10 million demand on TV series

Note that filming has begun on Oct. 30, 2006 for Survivor 14 in Fiji.

The Fiji Sun By SAMANTHA RINA

Landowners want $10 million to allow filming of the renowned television series, Survivor. And if they don’t receive the money, they say they will halt production.

Members of the Mataqali Walana in Macuata have demanded that the Native Land Trust Board make a $10 million payment if it wants the series to continue filming on their land.”We are seeking legal advice on the matter and we are also checking ownership of other areas involved as the filmmaking of this series involves seven islands,” said mataqali member and spokesman Asaeli Tuicakau.

“The NLTB just claimed the areas without requesting any consent from the landowners,” he said.

“How can we just sit by and watch them lease our land without following the proper procedure?” Mr Tuicakau said the landowners were not told how much money had changed hands between the filmmakers and the NLTB.

“They have offered us $30,000 for a period of three months but we want $10 million for the three months that they want to use our land. If our demand is not met, we will close the site tomorrow,” he said. Mr Tuicakau said the landowners had chacked with officials from the NLTB once and no documents had been issued to them for approval of lease to the series production company.

A total of 170 tents have been set up in the area to accommodate the cast and crew in the series and filming began yesterday.


However, the climate of corruption within such Fiji native institutions, have attracted alot of scrutiny into the transactions made by N.L.T.B as this Fiji Time article reporting the audit of a particular contract to use SAP software purchased at an astronomical price of $F16 million paid over 11 years.

Froogle has a list of SAP software and listed prices, the most expensive platform is actually a fraction of the million dollar mark paid by NLTB.

Another attention spotlight on Fiji, was a unique take from a contributor to Rhode Island's Brown University, publication and his satirical opinion article, advocated the U.S Government to invade Fiji, as a political jibe at President Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003.


Club Em Designs

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Location, Location, Location.




Above image: Using Kadavu as a baseline, the 12 Nautical Miles radius from the center is still Fiji territorial waters (using the U.N Law of the Seas).



(Above Image: The general area of the Black Hawk wreckage. The radius of the circle is 37 Nautical-Miles, with the centre of the circle being Vatulele).


Fiji Times article
reports that, a recovery operation for the downed Australian Black Hawk may need the expertise of the U.S Navy. Without a doubt, whoever is tasked with recovering the wreckage, they will have to seek approval of the interim Fiji Government. To remove the wreckage of the helicopter believed to be located at 37 Nautical-Miles south of Vatulele; but well within Fiji's 200 mile economic exclusion zone, a fact confirmed by the Naval Commander, Francis Kean in an article by the Fiji Times. Commander Kean's assumption in that particular article by Fiji Times, has begged the question; whether a vessel being within the 200 mile exclusive zone, constitutes being within Fiji's territorial waters. A clarification requires the inspection of the U.N Convention on the Law of the Seas.



This is the excerpt of Fiji Naval Commander's brief:

Navy denies crash occurred in Fiji waters

Friday, December 01, 2006




(Above image: The deck of the Australian naval vessel HMAS Kanimbla from where the Blackhawk helicopter plunged into the sea on Wednesday).

The Australian Blackhawk helicopter crash which claimed the life of an Australian naval officer did not happen in our waters, said the Fiji Navy.

Naval Commander Francis Kean confirmed this but said it was inside our Exclusive Economic Zone. The helicopter went down about 37 nautical miles south of Vatulele.

The Australian Department of Defence said the helicopter was conducting a training flight when it crashed.

There were 10 personnel on board and one of them died, seven sustained minor injuries, one sustained no injuries while a search is on for a missing officer. The helicopter was trying to land on the HMAS Kanimbla which was on standby to rescue Australians in the event of a coup in Fiji when it crashed into the ship's deck and plunged into the sea with the 10 on board.

The HMAS Kanimbla, HMAS Newcastle and HMAS Success have been in South West Pacific waters for the past two weeks in case they are needed to evacuate Australian nationals if there is a coup.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said the cause of the crash might never be established because the helicopter was lost in 2000 to 3000 metres of water.



The location featured in the official debrief on the Australian Department of Defense website was ambiguous in detailing exactly where the Black Hawk crashed.

This is the excerpt of the ADD debrief:


BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER LOST NEAR FIJI


Questions and Answers

Wednesday 29 November 2006

How many personnel were involved and what is their condition?


There were 10 personnel on board the Black Hawk.

* 1 died of injuries.
* 1 missing.
* 7 have minor injuries.
* 1 sustained no injuries in the incident.

What is the progress with the search for the missing person?


A Seahawk helicopter from HMAS Newcastle is conducting a search for the missing person.

Who was involved?

There were two pilots, two loadmasters and six personnel on board the aircraft. All were Army personnel.

The soldiers were part of the security element of the forces embarked to provide support to Australian citizens in Fiji if required.

Have the Next of Kin (NOK) been informed?

The NOK of the deceased and missing members have been advised.

How did it happen?

Defence will not comment further on how the accident occurred until a preliminary investigation has been completed. There is no indication at this stage how long this may take.

Where did it happen?

In the South West Pacific near Fiji.

What were they doing at the time?


The helicopter was conducting a training flight. I do not have more detail on the activity at this time.

What training do your people do to deal with incidents like these?

Personnel involved in maritime helicopter operations conduct helicopter underwater escape training.

What safety equipment were the embarked forces using?

Personnel operating over water wear a reserve-flotation device and aircrew have a mission-specific ensemble that includes a flotation device and reserve air supply.

Will the Black Hawk be recovered?


A decision is yet to be made however, the water is estimated as being up to 3000 metres deep where the incident occurred.

Were Special Forces involved in the incident?

There were six Special Air Service Regiment personnel on the aircraft.

Will an investigation into the accident take place?


Yes. The ADF has already commenced preliminary inquiry. A full inquiry will be conducted in due course.

Why were they conducting a training flight?


The embarked elements conduct training to ensure that are ready to act at short notice. This activity was part of routine training.

MEDICAL

What is the condition of the injured?


The seven personnel have non life-threatening injuries including cuts, abrasions and some fractures.

What medical evacuation assets have been tasked?


There is a medical facility on board HMAS Kanimbla.

A critical incident stress management team will also be deployed as soon as possible.

REPATRIATION

Will the ADF evacuate the casualties?


The deceased and injured personnel who require evacuation will be transferred to HMAS Newcastle and move to Noumea . Repatriation will then occur from Noumea by RAAF aircraft. Final arrangements are yet to be confirmed.

FIJI

What does this mean for the mission?

The elements that we have deployed retain the capability to support Australian citizens in Fiji if required.

This incident will have an initial effect as the ADF conduct the search for our missing person and commence investigation into this incident. The ADF however, will remain focussed on the mission and will be able to provide support to Australian citizens in Fiji if required.

Additional assets will soon be dispatched to assist with critical incident management and investigation.

BLACK HAWKS


Has the Black Hawk fleet been grounded?

No. At this stage there is no reason to ground the ADF's Black Hawk fleet.

Why was an Army helicopter on a Navy ship?

The Black Hawks are part of the Army detachment that is embarked on HMAS Kanimbla to provide support to Australian citizens in Fiji if required.

HMAS Kanimbla is capable of supporting Black Hawk and Sea King helicopters. In this case 4 Black Hawks were embarked.


In a follow up to an earlier post titled "State of Origin" in S.i.F.M that, featured the reoccurring crashes of the Black Hawk in a combat or non-combat situations, as well the law suit involving the Helicopter's manufacturer-Sikorsky Aircraft, in matters relating to quality assurance; raising more questions than answers on the reliability of the Black Hawk helicopter.

ABC podcast interviews the widow of Captain Mark Bingley, the pilot for the ill fated Black Hawk. Although, the family of the victims deserve an honest ans transparent answer into the root causes of the many mechanical faults; apparently the official explanations of this crash has not provided this closure to the family of victims, due to the hush-hush nature of the repeated failures that had been plaguing this Black Hawk, since its inception into service.

Youtube video captures the many Black Helicopters operating under the Australian banner.


Club Em Designs

Monday, February 05, 2007

Super Heated Publicity for Fiji.

The recent NFL Super Bowl held in Miami, Florida and won gallantly by Indianapolis Colts 29-17 against the Chicago Bears, is considered the major sporting event in America.



For television marketers, having a 30 second commercial on this time spot, is considered the Holy Grail of TV marketing. New York Times article view a trend in marketing slanting towards commercials with humor and 30 second Air-Time would cost millions of dollars, according to PBS Nightly Business Report article.



Survivor Fiji commercials was aired in this particular time slot by the host network CBS, the producers of hit dramas C.S.I, The Unit and the free publicity acquired by the nation of Fiji, is a massive coup in itself.



Club Em Designs

Friday, February 02, 2007

Old Score- New Rivalries


(Above image: Fiji Sevens player in action against the USA team).

Fiji Sevens team may be shouldering a different kind of pressure this weekend in Wellington, for the inaugural Rugby seven aside tournament. Interim Fiji Prime Minister has urged the nation to show their support for the Waisale Serevi coached team.

Fiji Times article reports that the gladiators of rugby, are ready to make their nation proud especially in the wake of the political events in Fiji.
Fiji's coach and Rugby sevens legend, Waisale Serevi modestly downplayed the grandstanding diplomacy served by the New Zealand Government, by banning a parade that was suppose to pass in front of the Parliament building, reported by Fiji Times article.

Fiji Times feed back avenue: "Have Your Say" was focussed on this sticky issue of the parade ban in Wellington.

This is the excerpt of the F/T article:

NZ bans rugby parade over Fiji participation

1538 FJT
Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Update: 3.38pm FIJI's participation at this weekend's Wellington 7s has forced the New Zealand government to ban the planned parade from the front of Parliament Buildings, where it traditionally starts.

A Pacnews report says Sports Minister Trevor Mallard confirmed yesterday that Parliament was a no-go zone for the parade and that he would not attend any games involving the Fiji team.

In most of the previous seven Sevens tournaments in Wellington, the Government has hosted the teams in Parliament and Mr Mallard has spoken before a parade through Wellington streets, but not this year.

The Government is not hosting the start of the Sevens parade as it was felt that it was inappropriate to do so, given the participation of the Fijian team in the tournament, and our Government's serious concerns over the military takeover of Fiji and the ousting of its democratically elected Government by the army.

He added that the Fijian Government and military officials would not be granted visas to enter New Zealand to watch the tournament.

He said the same approach had been taken in 2001 after the 2000 coup in Fiji. The circumstances of that coup were, ironically, different.

The Fiji military chief and interim Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, was instrumental in ending the siege of Parliament and capturing the 2000 coup leaders before installing an interim prime minister pending fresh democratic elections.

He was regarded as having played a positive role in helping to restore democracy and was able to attend the 2001 Sevens tournament in a private capacity.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who hosted the commander socially at the 2001 tournament, would give a speech in Orewa tonight that is expected to criticise his former friend.

The Fiji team arrived in Wellington yesterday.


This parade ban of Fiji's team set off another series of tit-for-tat maneuvers, made by the Fiji interim Government by issuing a similar styled ban on any visits, made by the New Zealand and Australian Prime Minister along with other notable individuals. ABC podcast analyzes this brinkmanship in bans and counter bans, a political frustration which may carry over into the Wellington's annual international rugby tournament.

Fiji's opening matches in the tournament, described by Fiji Times article and confirmed by International Herald Tribune article have set the team on the right course for another title win.

This Youtube video captures the fun and tense atmosphere in the 2006 Wellington 7's at WestPac Stadium and also the award ceremony. It is also a reflection of the stakes involved in this Rugby contest between New Zealand and Fiji, which was foreshadowed by the diplomatic stand off between the two Governments.



Club Em Designs

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Community Policing.


(Above image-The Peninsula of Suva, the large tracts of developed and undeveloped lands claimed by Suvavou villagers. Suva's central business district also falls into the claim).



The legal case of the Suvavou landowners, may be one of the most significant precedence in Fiji's legal system, because of the land's value, estimated to worth more than $F1 Billion and because the case is a legal wrangle between the State and an indigenous landowning unit. A Fiji Times article, covers their legal claim, now being debated in Suva's High Court.

Although the GCC Chairman is considering getting back to the habit of endless and fruitless meetings described in an article by Fiji Village. This particular Suvavou case, also reminds the indigenous landowners in Fiji of the inadequacies of the Great Council of Chiefs in solving such a major land claim, in addition to the delayed justice and due processes stonewalled by native institutions who have ignored the plight of the claimants. This case also underscores the validity of landowner's complaints against the Native Lands Trust Board.

Niu FM podcast interviews Fiji's interim Attorney General, who had requested the comments made by the Governments of New Zealand and Australia; to use the Pacific way of respectful dialogue. Not snide comments, which ridicule the sovereignty of a nation; like the idiosyncratic comments made by the New Zealand Foreign Minister, Winston Peters recently.
It appears that the talking points of the New Zealand Government have entered the echo chamber of NZ talk radio, outlined in an interview of academic (WMA), Robert Patman, a seemingly unbiased and unilateral expert of Fiji politics.

Although, quoted in a International Herald Tribune article and corroborated in a Fiji Times article, Peters had inquired into the evidence to the corruption charges, levied at the SDL Government by the interim Government's newly formed Corruption Agency headed by former Police officer, Nasir Ali who was interviewed in this Fiji Times article. Fiji's interim Prime Minister has also responded to Winston Peter's inquiries of corruption evidence, with a scathing denunciation, reported by Fiji Live article.

This is the excerpt of Fiji Live article:

I don't need to show proof: Bainimarama
Wednesday January 31, 2007

Fiji's Interim Prime Minister and army commander, Voreqe Bainimarama says there is no need for him to justify the coup to New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters.

Peters had earlier asked Bainimarama to provide evidence to back up allegations he used to justify his coup.

Speaking to Fijilive this afternoon, Bainimarama hit out at Peters saying it was about time he realized that Fiji could manage its own affairs and did not rely on New Zealand as a 'big brother'.

"Who is he to interfere in our affairs, because we are a sovereign state and will not be pushed around by people who think they are too smart," said Bainimarama.

"He should stop spitting venom and leave this country alone."

Bainimarama added that Peters and New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark were being vindictive in their approach towards resolving the current impasse between the two countries.

"They should take sometime to think and try and map out a way to end the bitterness between New Zealand and Fiji," he said.

Peters also said that Bainimarama had become a judge, jury and an investigator for his country.

Fijilive


Fiji Live article questions why, the New Zealand Government is yet to dispatch experts in forensic accounting, to assist the interim Fiji Government in completing such investigations into the allegations of high level corruption. Such a delay, inextricably reflects on the reluctance of New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get involved, in spite of their lofty diplomatic ambitions to uphold law and order within the Pacific.

This is the excerpt of Fiji Live article:

NZ to consider Fiji request for help
Wednesday January 10, 2007

Fiji has asked for New Zealand help in investigating corruption allegations against the ousted government.

According to a report on TVNZ, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Rob Hole, says they are considering the request in light of the wider issues in Fiji and will decide how to respond by the end of the week.

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says a special military task force has begun sifting through dozens of files from various government departments and there is a pressing need for forensic accountants.

He says he will also be asking Australia and the United States for assistance.

Fijilive


The over-interference in the Pacific affairs by the New Zealand Government, was defended by Winston Peters in a speech to the Rotary Club reported by an article by Radio New Zealand.

In that speech, the Foreign Minister claimed that the Government is the absolute champion of democracy-a serious and noble role which they won't shirk! A role that was not consented to, by the voters of New Zealand, nor was this role approved by the citizens of the Pacific.
The egalitarian intentions by New Zealand was perceived as posturing rhetoric, by a senior officer in the Army, quoted in an article by Fiji Village.

New Zealand Foreign Minister, Winston Peter's speech was made available with an article by Scoop.

This is the excerpt:


Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Speech Notes

Putting New Zealand values to work in the Pacific


Delivered to the Orewa Rotary Club,
War Memorial Park,
Hibiscus Coast Highway
Embargoed until 7.30pm, 30 January 2007


Thank you for the invitation to address you this evening.

A New Year address at Orewa carries with it a degree of expectation.

While not being one to court controversy, it is hoped that today's address will none the less stimulate discussion. You have asked for an address on New Zealand's role in the Pacific, but before that here are a couple of observations about domestic politics in 2007.

If New Zealand has any hope of dragging itself up the OECD ladder, it must address some extraordinarily longstanding problems this year.

One is an outdated obsession with the monetary policy of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. This year is Export Year, and yet the perverseness of New Zealand's monetary policy operates disastrously against export interests and encourages New Zealanders' obsession, not with the corporate sector or our still-strong primary sector, but with consumerism and multiple house buying.

You who live in Orewa should know this most keenly, given the Rodney Council is a recipient of numerous applications for further high rise development along the beach in some mindless attempt to replicate Queensland's Gold Coast.

But it is not these well-worn, well-tried and decades-old failed policies by themselves that are causing New Zealand's present economic dilemma of a banana republic current account balance (that is nine per cent of GDP in deficit). Although they do have an effect on our woefully falling home ownership rate.

One of the principal reasons for the low home ownership rate is our now three decades old inability to obtain bipartisan political agreement for a New Zealand savings strategy -- one of the principle reasons for the huge gap in living standards between New Zealand and Australia.

The Cullen Scheme is working because at least it is an attempt at a savings strategy. But much more should have been done and needs now to be done, and I hope in 2007 that Parliament will put aside its petty arguments on this issue and agree to give New Zealand earners a chance to enter the competitive economic world with a savings strategy to back it up.

Such a strategy will have a very serious effect. It will disincline the Reserve Bank Governor to keep ramping up interest rates, further vacuuming our economy and increasing business costs, and it will be a sound addition to the saving steps that many New Zealanders have made already.

There will be a huge debate on welfare-ism in 2007 but most of it will be to disguise the failing of the New Zealand economy, and that is that we are nationally not exporting enough, and therefore not individually earning enough.

Turning now to the Pacific, on the surface it would be easy to have a pessimistic outlook in the region.

From unrest in the Solomons, Timor Leste, Tonga, and finally the December coup in Fiji, the Pacific in the last year has at times resembled a wayward ping pong ball, with crises presenting themselves at regular intervals, bouncing from one part of the region to another.

While these recent crises have generated public and media attention, they stand alongside longer and deeper economic and social trends in the Pacific.
Pacific watchers over time will know that many of the issues confronting the Pacific are not new – some are decades old.

However we can, and we should, approach this year with guarded optimism. Not because we will solve all the Pacific's problems – we won't – but because we will play a constructive part in the region, strengthening key relationships and bolstering our own national interests.

This assessment is based on several decades of close association with the Pacific and its people.

In May 1989 I gave a keynote address to CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia) focussing on the challenges confronting the Pacific. This occurred in the aftermath of the assassination of Kanak leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou and his deputy Yiewene Yiewene in New Caledonia -- events which sent shockwaves throughout the Pacific and beyond.

The backdrop at that time was further coloured by the first coup in Fiji and the instability that followed. It is somewhat bemusing, therefore, when hearing some commentators assessing my recent views and efforts in the Pacific as if they are a new development.

They are not – they have been shaped over the better part of three decades of informed engagement with the region. The Pacific is after all our neighbourhood and home, and its strategic relevance in global terms should have always been self-evident.

A brief perusal of nations that border the Pacific, and the fact that it accounts for nearly one quarter of the globe, highlight why countries with no direct connection with the region wish to remain actively engaged.

This has obvious implications for New Zealand. What we do in the Pacific matters more than just in the immediate sphere in which we operate, because partners such as Australia, the US, the EU, Japan, China and the UN among others, watch and value what we do.

Indeed much of our activity in the Pacific occurs in partnership with other nations and organisations. This brings us to a critical dimension of our work in the Pacific. Our partnerships and collaborative efforts are critical – particularly those with Australia and the United States.

Yet there seems to be an irrational, and growing, sense of sport among some quarters in New Zealand where it is considered a perverse badge of honour to take cheap shots at the Australians and Americans. These groups are quick to criticise what they disagree with and so so slow to acknowledge the huge effort that both nations put into the Pacific and beyond.

Let me make this as clear as possible. We need the United States, as well as Australia, to be intimately engaged in the Pacific if we are to be successful in our own endeavours. We also believe the EU has a positive role to play.

We need to work closely with the US and we need to have a positive forward-looking relationship. And there are significant efforts being made on both sides to achieve that.

All too often commentators in this country are quick to gnaw at American vulnerabilities, lashing out hardest when the United States is confronting difficulties, rather than being more understanding, as friends should be at such times.

Our areas of difference are well known. Less attention is given to the broad range of policy positions and interests that we have in common with the United States – our similar outlook is underpinned by shared values and a commitment to democratic principles.

The issues of democratisation, good governance, and stability, which the
United States is grappling with in a number of regions of the world, are similar to those we are grappling with in the Pacific. Our officials are in regular contact on these issues, sharing ideas about what has worked and what hasn't.

To this end, we are pleased that officials are currently looking at areas where we can maximize cooperation both bilaterally and in support of Pacific island states.
We work closely with Australia in the region. They are our nearest neighbours and closest friends. We have many mutually shared objectives in our combined efforts.

So while some in New Zealand are keen to see us jettison these relationships, these people need to grow up, shed their jingoistic baggage about the US and Australia, and start to address the serious reality in which we operate, rather than their fanciful fabrications.

Let's confront a simple question. How do you get a sound business relationship with someone or some nation who does not know you, or worse, does not like you? The media at times have regrettably tried to reduce these attitudes to a deep-seated form of anti-Americanism and anti-Australian sentiments.

This premise is false. New Zealanders are not by nature anti anybody. We have friendly rivalries – particularly on the sporting field – shared histories and sometimes even significant policy differences with other nations.

But we are not anti or opposed to any nation or people. From time to time we vigorously oppose particular policies, and occasionally disagree with various decisions made by governments, but it is not the New Zealand way to outright oppose a nation or its people.

This is because of who we are as New Zealanders. What we have embraced over time is a form of civic nationalism – bound by shared values and a common commitment to the institutions of democracy, the rule of law and the pursuit of a decent society.

This goes hand in hand with an underlying pragmatism, tolerance and an essential good-heartedness as the late historian Michael King put it.

Our disposition embraces the rule of law, including an inherent fairness and sense of natural justice in how we engage with others.

And it increasingly involves a respect and care for the sustainability of the environment – which all New Zealanders can commonly value as a legacy we seek for our children.

The understated character of our nationalism ensures we would rather get in and do the work than chase the limelight. We don't need to wear our nationalism on our sleeves, and we have charitable inclinations – it is in our nature to help.

We do have a sense of patriotism, often inconspicuous and less overt than other countries, but it is real none the less and it is strong. Sadly, however, we lack tangible touchstones – significant events we can point to which unite and bind us as a nation.

The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi could and should have filled this role as our equivalent of Bastille Day in France, or the 4th of July in the United States.

It should be recognised and celebrated as the significant and unique document it is. Instead, the Treaty has too often been sullied as a document based on grievance and division, just as Waitangi Day has been notable for protest and sadly the broad indifference of much of the population.

There are some indications that we can move beyond this as a nation. Thankfully this lack of a touchstone has not inhibited New Zealanders from embracing the core values that bolster our sense of identity.

Unlike New Zealand however, most Pacific nations have been in a post-colonial phase of development for only a brief period. Consequently, few of the institutions and democratic foundations of our Pacific neighbours have had enough time to mature since they embarked on the pathway to independence and sovereignty.

Just two years ago our parliament celebrated its 150th anniversary – making us among the world's oldest parliamentary democracies.

By comparison, Samoa's parliament was established in 1961, the Cook Islands in 1965, Fiji in 1970, PNG in 1975, and the Solomon Islands in 1976.

New Zealand is by no means perfect. Our institutions have evolved over many decades, which have seen constitutional changes such establishing the Maori seats, embracing universal suffrage, removing our Upper House, and more recently the shift to MMP. All these changes have created a distinctive form of New Zealand democracy.

Our Pacific Island neighbours, however, have not had the luxury of time. They have also, quite legitimately, sought to meld western styles of government with traditional indigenous structures.

Taken together, these elements have at times resulted in new institutions being vulnerable to influences that can undermine the foundations of democracy, the rule of law, and security.

In contrast, there is much that we take for granted in New Zealand because of the legacy of our Westminster system of government, and this has significant implications for our sense of identity.

Our society is underpinned by robust values that are stable and strong. However there are often different forces at play in parts of the Pacific, just as there are in other regions of the world.

Violence, or the threat of violence, is too frequently employed as the means of resolving domestic matters. The value of democracy is often subverted by a misguided sense of ethnic nationalism.

Ethnic nationalism emerges when the search for identity is couched solely in a traditionalist cultural context, devoid of the core values of democracy and rule of law. But these values need not be mutually exclusive – there can be cultural expression and democratic foundations.

In places such as Tonga, that is what the average Tongan wants – to give voice to their political preferences.

They do not want to abandon their cultural traditions, but they do see the inherent value in citizens having the right to express themselves in an organised and structured way.

In some parts of the Pacific ethnic nationalism can manifest itself at an even more rudimentary level – wantok tribalism – where historical tribal and extended family loyalties have at times overridden democratic values.

But we should never confuse ethnic nationalism with outright corruption and greed.

Corruption and greed are not cultural or ethnic based conditions – they are human phenomena. As the British parliamentarian and philosopher Edmund Burke once wrote, "Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot last".

We have heard the term corruption hypocritically bandied about in New Zealand over the past year. Those who have cried it the loudest have suffered the most, because New Zealanders know hypocrisy when they hear it.

In comparison, a lack of strong institutions of state to buttress vulnerable nations against corruption has left parts of the Pacific region in flux, and its future uncertain.

So while much of the internal struggle within Pacific nations has been cloaked in nationalistic fervour and the struggle for independence, the underlying cancer of corruption has too often been allowed to take root and spread.

New Zealand must never shirk its role as a champion of democracy in the region– it is after all what our heritage is built on.

The checks and balances of constitutional democracy are fundamental to the promotion of equitable development and respect for human rights and freedoms. Where these fail – as they have most recently in Fiji – the consequences are all too obvious.

We are seeing in Fiji a regime that has systematically suppressed freedom of speech, created a climate of fear, and abuse, and undermined confidence in key institutions of state whose role is to protect the rights of its citizens.

A detailed roadmap towards the restoration of democracy is urgently needed if further degradation is to be avoided. New Zealand's belief in the importance of constitutional democracy, strong institutions of state, and responsive government underpins our approach throughout the Pacific.

We are active supporters of democracy in Tonga, and are working as a partner within the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands to support the institutions of state in that country.

And consider the issue of the most recent Fiji coup and why New Zealand, among many other nations, has taken the stance it has. It was only mid 2006 when Fiji last held democratic elections, overseen by independent election observers.

Indeed New Zealand put significant resources into promoting democracy and ensuring the smooth running of the elections as much as was possible. On election night no one claimed the election was not fair.

We therefore cannot sit idly by as Fiji's military leader, who did not stand for election and does not have a democratic mandate, first through thinly veiled threats and then through the clear threat of violence, usurps office and then claims some perverse legitimacy.

Equally we will not be swayed by his threats of retaliation simply for voicing our outrage at his actions, and for taking the measures we warned him well in advance that we regrettably would take.

But the situation has become far graver in Fiji. We now have the dehumanising stories of those who voice concerns over the coup having bags put over their heads and being locked up with no sense of natural justice.

This is simply not acceptable at the most rudimentary level of human rights and we will continue to say so.

There was always a simple solution to any concerns that Commodore Bainimarama had over Fijian government policies. It is a solution that remains the most salient now. He should simply resign his military role and contest transparent democratic elections.

If he has the will of the people, then rather than having to appoint himself Prime Minister, he could hold the title legitimately – and be recognised by the international community as such.

As noted previously, we do not always agree with what other governments do, and sometimes we voice this publicly. However we respect their right as democratically elected governments to make independent choices.

We are also weary of those who seek to exploit the economic vulnerability of the Pacific. Organised trans-national crime, including money laundering and drug making, are already a reality in the Pacific, and require concerted international cooperation to be tackled effectively.

Fortunately the Pacific can draw on international best practice when confronting such challenges, and New Zealand plays a crucial role in this.
We will continue to rally our friends, who share our core democratic values, to help support legitimate Pacific island governments in their endeavours.

Despite its many challenges, the Pacific is not without hope. Our work is about incremental steps and long-term solutions. There is no magic wand or silver bullet that will fix the Pacific's diverse woes.

Over half New Zealand's aid budget goes to the Pacific, and our development initiatives extend across a range of government and business agencies and groups.

However we do not provide unaccountable largesse for Pacific leaders. We offer targeted aid where it can make the most difference over time.

The aid programme continues to transform to recognise new realities in the Pacific. It is focussed on addressing real poverty and hardship in the region. It is directed to the most needy and supports the region to lift its economic performance.

But many of the decisions that need to be taken for the Pacific to progress must be taken by Pacific nations themselves. We cannot and should not impose such decisions on them.

New Zealand's efforts in working in the Pacific are based on our own core values. This is why we can be optimistic that our efforts in our neighbourhood will be valued.

It is the nation in the mirror that shapes how we look in and how we look out in the Pacific.

Thank you.

ENDS



Winston Peters' Rotary club speech, also came under fire from the New Zealand MP and Green Party Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Keith Locke published in an article from Scoop.


Locke rebuts Peters' accusations
Wednesday, 31 January 2007, 9:49 am
Press Release: Green Party
31 January 2007

Green Party Foreign Affairs Spokesperson MP Keith Locke has rejected Foreign Minister Winston Peters' accusation that those who criticise the Bush administration are motivated by feelings of anti-Americanism.

"It is not 'cheap shot' anti-Americanism to criticise George Bush's war in Iraq. It is a 'cheap shot' however, for Mr Peters to accuse those who disagree with Mr Bush of wanting to 'jettison' relations with the United States," Mr Locke says.

"It is hardly 'anti-American' to side with the tens of thousands of patriotic Americans who are marching against the war, or to back American lawyers who are trying to help the people detained at Guantanamo Bay.

"New Zealand will earn a lot more American friends by telling the truth about Iraq, and by standing up for justice, than it will by keeping a cowardly silence."

"If Winston Peters was to be acting as a real friend of America he would, in our name, be cautioning the US government from proceeding further down its destructive path in Iraq, " Mr Locke says.

"Once a populist politician, Winston Peters has lost his ability to read the Kiwi mood, which is strongly opposed to the selfishness and the bullying of the Bush administration. It is sad to see our Foreign Minister choosing to go in to bat for George Bush, the most war-mongering American president in recent times.

"It is simply not acceptable for Mr Peters to say, as he did this morning, that we shouldn't 'go on' about Iraq.

"People here and around the world are alarmed that George Bush is adding fuel to the fire by sending more troops to Iraq, and by threatening Iran into the bargain. We have a responsibility to speak out, rather than just watch the death toll rise," said Mr Locke.

ENDS



Club Em Designs

Monday, January 29, 2007

State of Origin.

New Zealand Herald's article confirmed by a report by the Australian, on the recovery efforts of the Australian Black Hawk helicopter that crashed last year inside Fiji waters, prior to the events of December 5th, may have stalled due to both the embarrassing location of the wreck and the embarrassing causes.

News Limited web article confirms that the crash of the Australian Black Hawk was related to a mechanical failure. Australian Defence Force has conducted research into reports of cracking of the internal panel. Air Systems Branch, an arm of U.S Army Research Labs has also published a study into the vibrational analysis of the helicopter rotor machinery. To date the underlying causes of UH-60 failure, are yet to be determined.

Sydney Morning Herald report estimates the recovery operation in Fiji, at a hefty price tag of A$8 million.

Perhaps the Fiji episode may have opened a new chapter of scrutiny in the murky track record of mechanical failures of the Black Hawk, used extensively by Australia, UK and the US military.
Here are other occurrences of Black Hawk crashes reported by media sources.

Bagram Airforce base, Afghanistan-Jan 30th 2003

Kuwait- Feb 25th 2003.

Fort Drum, New York- March 12th 2003.

Karbala, Iraq-April 2003

Tikrit, Iraq- Nov 8th 2003.

Florence, South Carolina-April 26th 2004.

Waco, Texas-Nov 2004.

Fort Hood, Texas-Nov 30th 2004.

Columbia, January 2005.

Al-Anbar province, Iraq- Aug 8th 2006.

Seattle, WA- Dec 20th 2006.

12km East of Tal Afar, Iraq-Jan 5th 2007.

Diyala Province, Iraq- Jan 20th 2007.

A news aggregator of Black Hawk crashes, provides a treasure trove of similar incidents.

Project of Government Oversight (POGO) website provides additional resources on Black Hawk manufacturer, Sikorsky Aircraft.

This is an excerpt of an article by News Channel 8 WTNH:


Team 8 Investigates
Problems with Sikorsky helicopters?


(WTNH, May 10, 2006 11:00 PM) _ Sikorsky Aircraft has filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against the Defense Department that would stop the government from releasing documents to News Channel 8 on quality control problems on the Blackhawk helicopter.

Team 8 Investigator Alan Cohn broke the story three years ago about defective parts being installed on Blackhawk helicopters.

This case is unique. It's not often the Defense Department and the Bush Administration go to court and fight for the release of what a defense contractor believes is confidential information to a reporter.

The question, the Defense Department tells us, is not if Sikorsky has been cited for continued quality problems on the Blackhawk, but how many times.

It's a simple, obvious question and with so many servicemen depending on Blackhawk helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan, never has it been never more important.

Has Sikorsky fixed the quality control problems Team 8 first uncovered three years ago? If it has, why is the company blocking News Channel 8's efforts to find out.

"The fact there are obstacles being placed on the truth coming out really bothers me that there are priorities other than just making sure the troops are safe," says Danielle Brian, Project on Govt. Oversight.

In May 2003, News Channel 8 reported some of Sikorsky's own employees were saying defective parts from subcontractors were slipping through the company's quality assurance system and onto aircraft.

They provided us with this corrective action request from the Defense Department agency which oversees Sikorsky listing 19-quality issues including installation of unqualified parts and vendor quality control.

Sikorsky's response at the time; it's fixed its quality control problems.

Is that true? To find out, we filed a Freedom of Information request with the Pentagon asking whether Sikorsky has been issued any additional corrective action requests.

Now, the question itself is setting off a historic legal battle here at Federal Court in Washington, DC. For the first time ever, a defense contractor, Sikorsky Aircraft, is suing the defense department over the release to News Channel 8 of documents concerning quality control problems on the Blackhawk helicopter."

Initially, the Pentagon turned down our request for documents, then it suddenly reversed itself in December.

"We took another look at it and decided that the corrective action request you asked for should be released," says Richard Finnegan, Defense Contract Mgt. Agency.

The decision was made at the highest level.

"There is an appeal authority here that is the Chief of Staff," says Finnegan.

And as soon as the Defense Department told the company it was releasing the documents, Sikorsky slapped the Pentagon with a lawsuit.

"For us this is unique,

Government watch dogs and aerospace industry analysts we talked to say the case is fascinating. On one hand the military is spending billions on new Blackhawks. On the other hand in a rare push, the Pentagon is trying to release documents that could embarrass one of its most important contractors

"What it means to me is there are people inside the government who wanted to make sure you got this information."

"I could see the government is gaming this as wanting to release this information to embarrass Sikorsky to improve in manufacturing processes," says John Pike, globalsecurity.org

In its suit, the company is clearly concerned what the records we're seeking say, "Competitors would undoubtedly use the information (in the car's) "to unfairly disparage Sikorsky's manufacturing processes and quality assurance system in the eyes of Sikorsky's customers and potential customers."

"Is that something that is taken into consideration?

"No that's no part of the law. Embarrassment isn't an issue under FOIA," says Cathy Alphin, Defense Contract Mgt. Agency.

Sikorsky also warns if the documents are released, the company would seriously consider limiting the information it shares with the Defense Department in the future.

"My general view is these documents should probably be public," says Congressman Chris Shays. Connecticut Congressman Christopher Shays has looked into quality problems on the Blackhawk helicopter in the past and says in a time of war, when lives are on the line and with the Blackhawk playing such an important role...

"My basic view is the tax payer provides the money and the taxpayer via the media has the right to know what's happening and what's not happening," says Shays.

What does Sikorsky have to say? Nothing. The company is declining comment saying the Freedom of Information Act is clear. The Justice Department is asking the court to throw out Sikorsky's law suit. If that doesn't happen it could be another year until the issue is resolved.

There is a second case very similar to this one and it involves another United Technologies company, Pratt and Whitney, which is also suing the Defense Department to block release to the Hartford Courant of records concerning quality problems on a military aircraft engine.

Video of flying in a Black Hawk over Iraq.



Back to Fiji Politics, the announced cancellations of the scheduled team marches in Wellington, is a disappointing start to New Zealand's premier Rugby international; a title which the Fiji Sevens team are defending.



(Above image: Image of historic fort in Sigatoka valley).
The historical Tongan fortress is located on the West Coast of Viti Levu, up towards the head waters of Sigatoka river.




The issue of having a central state Government is a question with a turbulent history in Fiji. The question of central authority then became a socio-religious conflict with tribal roots. The historical article by Fiji Times will perhaps prompt a much needed reflection on the forces of change in Fiji politics.



(Above: Image of a similar pacification by the Government troops in the Ba highlands at the same period, described in the F.T article.)

A letter to the Editor of the Fiji Times reminds the public, of the cost in having a native state within a state.

Corrupt natives

I AGREE with Eliki Gaunavou (FT 26/1) that one area that deserved an immediate mopping-up is the Ministry of Fijian Affairs including the NLTB and the Native Lands Commission dispute resolution tribunal.

Land title disputes are based on a history of tension within family communities and oral tradition. [Disputes] have and will continue to be at the centre of major disputes. [Disputes] have become increasingly important because of lease money. Whenever a dispute arises, lease money is likely to be withheld.

Consequently, local and foreign economic activities stagnate, children stay home or roam the streets, poor families get poorer and the inherent indigenous dependency syndrome on lease money aggravated.

Mr Gaunavou rightly concludes that continuing disputes over vanua titles contribute to a "corrupt native society" and calls for the abolition and replacement of the Fijian Affairs ministry with a Ministry of Native Affairs.

The Fijian Affairs ministry is in fact just that a ministry of native Fijian affairs. It begs more questions which have been raised many times before by your editorials.

Why should indigenous Fijians continue to be doubly governed, first under the Constitution and then reduced to be subjects of native regulations administered by the Ministry of Fijian Affairs?

Isn't it time for indigenous Fijians to be governed as full citizens of the Republic of Fiji and Rotuma just like any other citizen? After 36 years of independence, is not one government and one set of rules sufficient for all who call Fiji and Rotuma home?

Everyone wants to soar like an eagle, including indigenous people the world over.

Fijians have long known their disadvantage. They cannot soar as long as they are subjected to the currents of two laws the mainstream one and another especially just for them.

Morgan Tuimaleali'ifano
Suva


Club Em Designs

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Turning on a Dime.


Scoop article reports that, New Zealand Government's meddling into Fiji politics has gone as far as lobbying the removal of Fijian troops operating under the U.N banner in Iraq. Helen Clark's response was also criticized by the National Party spokesperson, as being a significant "back down".

New Zealand's Green Party spokesperson, Keith Locke interviewed in a Niu FM article accused the U.N of virtually funding the Fiji Army, resulting in its present strength. Locke concluded that without this funding, Fiji's coup might not have occured. Podcast of Keith Locke's interview.

Realistically, the final U.N decision was a sterling "smack down" of the New Zealand Government, which is also being buffeted by concerned local exporters; on the uncertain trading ties with Fiji, reported in an article by Stuff.

This is the excerpt of the article on the United Nations decision:


UN decision unprincipled; Clark response weak
Wednesday, 24 January 2007, 8:59 am

The United Nations decision to deploy additional Fijian troops to Iraq totally undermines the credibility of both the New Zealand Government and the UN, says National Party Foreign Affairs spokesman Murray McCully.

Mr McCully describes the UN decision as "unacceptable and unprincipled" and says the comments reported to date from the Prime Minister are "weak and represent a substantial backdown."

"The New Zealand Government warned the Fijian military that there would be consequences if they proceeded with threats to overthrow the elected Fijian Government. Both the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs warned that the removal of Fijian military personnel serving on UN peace-keeping duties would be one of those consequences.

“The National Party supported the Government in issuing those warnings at the time.

"New Zealand, along with Australia and many other nations, has now put in place the threatened sanctions. Fiji has been suspended from the Commonwealth.

"The Prime Minister's reported statement that the decision about use of further Fijian military personnel is a matter for the UN is weak and hollow in context of her earlier statements.

"We all have a huge stake in stability in the Pacific. There can be no stability without the rule of law. That is why the National Party has backed the position of the New Zealand Government. The Government now has some explaining to do about its communications with the UN over recent weeks. It must also make clear to the United Nations that this decision is unprincipled and unacceptable,” said Mr McCully.

Ends


Sydney Morning Herald article has now confirmed that, the New Zealand proposal was denied by the powers that be.

Is the U.N decision, a reminder of the worth of Fiji soldiers in international peacekeeping?


It is also a stark indication, of New Zealand's own reluctance to contribute soldiers on a large scale to war ravaged nations. This U.N decision, also underscores N.Z's juvenile approach to geo-politics.

This is an excerpt of the SMH article:

Fijian peacekeepers to stay: UN to NZ

January 24, 2007 - 5:54PM

New Zealand has attacked a United Nations decision not to suspend Fijian soldiers from peacekeeping missions as punishment for the Pacific nation's military coup last month.

Prime Minister Helen Clark on Wednesday put the decision down to the dire need for peacekeepers in Iraq. She said New Zealand had presented very strong arguments to the UN, saying Fijian soldiers must not be allowed to continue working as peacekeepers given their military's overthrow of the elected government.

"We've made it very clear to the UN that we do not believe they should be using Fijian troops," Clark said.

"Unfortunately our point of view did not get support from the United States, the United Kingdom or the United Nations bureaucracy.

"It's a considerable irony that when you look at the UN mission in Iraq which is to try to help restore some kind of decent government and democracy that Fiji troops are welcome there."

Clark said that former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had agreed with her that a coup in Fiji would lead to the loss of peacekeeping work with the UN.

But things had changed by the time New Zealand approached the UN in the wake of the December 5 coup. "There has been a change of the secretary-general. There's a lot of pressure on the UN to maintain the mission in Iraq, it's very, very dangerous there," Clark said.

"We have one person there as a military liaison observer but New Zealand is not prepared to fill in any gap left by Fiji troops - we think it's extremely dangerous.

"I imagine the secretary-general has been under pressure to try and keep his small force of security up and he's ended up looking back to Fiji but it's not a step we approve of."

Clark believes that Fijian soldiers will become a less attractive proposition for the UN over time, as the military government is deprived of assistance programs from countries like New Zealand and Australia.

© 2007 AAP



U.N webcast on recent geopolitical events including a response to a question posed on Fiji's contribution to peacekeeping.
The reporter inquired whether the former U.N Secretary General, Kofi Annan's remark inferring the scaling down the use for Fijian soldiers in Iraq, still holds.

In spite of the additional recruitment of Fiji soldiers to Iraq, reported by a Radio New Zealand article confirmed by NZ TV3 news; the U.N spokesperson acknowledged that, he was unaware of the comments made by the New Zealand Prime Minister and skillfully skirted around the issue of removing Fiji from U.N operations in Baghdad, Iraq. The U.N spokesperson later clarified that, Annan's comment only applied to future use of Fijian peacekeepers and not existing engagements.

Website for Fiji's Mission to the U.N.

Club Em Designs