Unintended Consequences.

Ba Provincial Council Chairman Ovini Bokini (2nd from left) and Ba Holdings Ltd interim Chairman Tevita Momoedonu (3rd from Left) consulting their Lawyer (1st Left)outside the Lautoka Court.



Fiji P.M office warns civil service to remain impartial in dealings that involve the Government. Impartiality is a discipline seldom practiced in Fiji and most individuals view matters from their instilled bias. An utopian declaration of interests in Fiji would include the process of civil servants disclosing their tribal identities to an independent 3rd party and examining their socio-cultural relationships.

The very issue of socio-cultural and socio-economic relationships led to the extraordinary meeting called at Native Lands Trust Board. The meeting was held to examine the damages caused by the calamity of N.L.T.B's General Manager, who was openly lobbying for Pacific Connex's application to become a licensed cell phone service provider in Fiji.
Fiji T.V's 6 p.m bulletin of Thurs. Aug 24, filmed the attendance of the President at the meeting with the Ba Holdings Ltd Chairman calling in sick expectantly. It is reasonable to assume that apparent revulsion of the President's office for being dragged into the debate. The President hails from Vuda, which is traditionally part of Ba province that includes Nadi, Yasawa and Tavua areas. The cell phone license debacle and the hostile takeover has placed the President in a difficult position as well as straining many cultural ties.

Fiji T.V 1 reports that the office of Fiji President has replied to Ba Holdings correspondence with instructions. This is an excerpt of the article.

Don't involve President: Secretary
Fiji T.V 24 Aug 2006 17:54:48
One National News has confirmed a letter has been sent from Government House to Ba Provincial Holdings Limited not to involve the President in their business dealings.

This after revelation last night that executives of the company had managed to convince Ratu Josefa Iloilo to issue a directive for Digicelexeutivess to leave the country within 24 hours..

Former executive of the Ba Provincial Holdings Limited Apolosi Bose says the move by the current chairman to involve the President is nothing more than desperation.

In discussions held at government house, andrevealedd in this letter, the President had agreed that he issue a directive to remove Digicel executives from Fiji in 24 hours.

Bose says this attempt clearly has tarnished the reputation of the Vanua of Vuda and abuse of traditional relations.

The President's Official Secretary Rupeni Nacewa says it's important that he maintain a neutral position and won't comment.

One National News understands a letter from government house has been sent to Ba Holdings Limited making it clear not to associate the president in the affairs of the company.

Fiji Live article reports DIGICEL's response to the Fiji T.V 1 report, on the correspondence to the President's office by Ba Holdings C.E.O/Acting C.E.O Tevita Momoedonu.

Fiji Live and Fiji T.V publish articles on Ba Holdings Chairman's comments regarding DIGICEL's precense in Fiji. These are excerpts.

Ba Provincial Holdings warns on bloodshed
Fiji T.V 24 Aug 2006 17:55:09

A letter written by the chairman of the Ba Provincial Holdings Limited warns of bloodshed in the country if international mobile phone company Digicel is allowed to do business in Fiji.

One National News has obtained a second letter written by the Ba Holdings Chairman and CEO Ratu Tevita Momoedonu accusing the Information Minister Isireli Leweniqila of colluding with Digicel.

This is the second letter by the Ba Provincial Holdings Limited obtained by One National News.

In this the company CEO and the chairman Ratu Tevita Momoedonu attacks the Communications Minister Isireli Leweniqila.

The jest of the message in this letter dated August 16th is simple, that government stop it's dealings with mobile company Digicel.

Quote .In terms of the vanua, we have voiced our concerns to you in that Digicel is single handedly splitting the vanua of Ba. This will be devastating for the yasana and we will not be able to contain any subsequent bloodshed. unquote.

Quote. Digicel has implicated itself with their insensitivity to the vanua and traditional ties by continuing to push its agenda using the vanua. If there were good citizens of Fiji they would have had the sense to back down and withdraw but clearly their greed for business in Fiji has blinded them from good sense and good judgment. unquote.

Ratu Momoedonu than bluntly puts this demand to the Communications minister that their license should be revoked immediately and reminding the Information Minister that he has the power to cancel their license.

Ratu Momoedonu than says Ba Provincial Holdings Limited is a private company and that the minister had NO right to interfere in their business.

He writes

quote. Our view is that you have no right in interfering with commercial arrangements of companies outside your ministry's licensing process. It is even more un-acceptable that you are suggesting another indigenous company partner with Digicel after having being dumped by Ba Holdings for corruption and deception unquote.

Information Minister Isireli Leweniqila confirmed he received this letter from Ratu Tevita Momoedonu. He didn't say whether he replied to it.

Provincial firm warns of bloodshed
Fiji Live-Thursday August 24, 2006

Ba Provincial Holdings Limited chairman Ratu Tevita Momoedonu has warned the Government of bloodshed if mobile phone company Digicel is allowed to operate in Fiji.

According to a Fiji TV news report, Ratu Tevita had written a letter, dated August 16, 2006, to the Minister of Information, Isireli Leweniqila, to withdraw Digicel's license.

The letter said Digicel was dividing the vanua of Ba and warned of subsequent bloodshed.

Ratu Tevita also accused Leweniqila of colluding with Digicel and that the Minister should not interfere with the dealings of Ba Provincial Holdings Limited. Effort to get comments from Ratu Tevita or Leweniqila was unsuccessful.

Digicel said in a statement today that it was committed to staying in Fiji.

Chairman Denis O'Brien said comments made against the company in the past few days were outrageous, mischievous, and untrue and it damaged their world class reputation.

Last month, sixteen chiefs from the province of Ba had written to Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase expressing opposition to a joint venture between Digicel and the Ba Provincial Holdings Limited.

The chiefs had urged the Government not to issue Digicel a license in Fiji because the management did not obtain approval from the company's board.

The chiefs, who have also addressed their concerns to the Ministry for Information and Communications, claim they are share holders of Ba Provincial Holdings Company.

They claim the joint venture between Digicel and the company is contrary to an earlier agreement between shareholders.

The agreement was to put to hold on all new ventures along with other issues like the review of the company's management team and review of company's board membership.

Denis O'Brien has extensive exeperience within the telecommunications industry. Much longer than Tevita Momoedonu's tenure as Fiji Prime Minister, post 2000 coup or his tenure as Chairman of Ba Holdings Ltd.

Digicel dismisses comments as untrue.
Fijilive-Friday August 25, 2006

Digicel has issued a statement in its defense, saying comments against the company and by the acting chief executive of Ba Provincial Holdings Limited are outrageous, mischievous, and untrue.

Digicel chairman Denis O'Brien said the contents of the two letters and what was said about the company damaged their world class reputation.

This is the first time Digicel has issued a public statement in Fiji after they were awarded a provisional Mobile Phone license two months ago.

The company's statement was in regards to a story broadcast on Fiji TV this week which revealed the Ba Provincial Holdings Limited tried to convince the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to issue a 24 hour directive for Digicel executives to leave Fiji.

O'Brien said comments expressed by the Chairman and Ba Provincial Holdings are outrageous, mischievous, extremely defamatory and untrue allegations, they greatly damage Digicel's world class reputation and excellent track record.

Ba Provincial Holdings company acting CEO, Ratu Tevita Momoedonu alleged that Digicel was dividing the vanua of Ba.

However, O'Brien said Digicel had conducted itself with the highest integrity in Fiji, and had full confidence in the government of Fiji and continued to be fully committed to working with Government to introduce as early as possible the benefits of competition into the Fijian mobile telecommunications market.

He said their strong track record in delivering real value, unprecedented service and coverage as well as innovation to mobile customers in our Carribean markets that the people of Fiji would greatly benefit.

"Digicel has made its presentation to the Cabinet subcommittee on Investments where they were thanked by the Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase for their interest, and their intention to make a capital investment of approximately US 265 million dollars in Fiji for the next 15 years.

"Digicel has not allowed itself to become part of the current internal disagreements affecting Ba Provincial Holdings. Such issues are a matter for Ba Holdings and the Ba Council to settle amongst themselves they are not issues for Digicel to resolve," O' Brien said .

Digicel currently operates in 20 countries mostly in developing countries. They have a provisional license to operate a mobile phone service in Fiji.

Digicel also has a wider and higher profile outside the Pacific region and the founder, Denis O'Brien also has many entrepreneurial ventures.

The calls for the Commission of Inquiry into the 2000 coup is getting louder. Even the Police Commissioner is countering the P.M's reaction to his initial comments.


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