1.)Most online readers of Fiji news are better informed and this correlates to their intelligent choice.
2.)Frequent use of the internet, reinforces one's knowledge about the socio-cultural and socio-economical issues in Fiji. The same issues that make up the voter's mind.
3.)Not all perspectives taken by the current Prime Minister's office is taken as the Gospel Truth.
4.)The cognitive dissonance in Fiji's political arena is now increasing.
It's a delicate one, but it needs asking: Who is right in the current political stand-off?
The Commander ... his call to tackle key 2000 coup leaders is the key (55.6%)
The Prime Minister ... the Commander has no legal right to make threats (21.6%)
They're both wrong ... and bigger men would sit down to resolve this (22.8%)
Total votes: 602
There is some correlation between the online poll and the sentiments outlined in Fiji Times Have Your Say online forum.
On the eve of American election day(1st Tuesday in November), there is a silence before the storm of change. The ripples that emanate from U.S voter's decision ultimately and inevitably touch the lives of every human being on this planet- either directly on indirectly.
Above image: Fiji Police chief in an interview and defends the indefensible. Hughes also is unable conceal his lying eyes.
Fiji Police were quick to enforce outdated Sedition laws but sadisitically turns a blind eye to illegal arms importation, a more serious offence particularly in the global climate of state exported terrorism.
Fiji Prime Minister's office C.E.O was forced to comment and defend matters under the normal jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This involvement by Fiji P.M C.E.O confirms beyond reasonable doubt that, this is yet another ill-designed scheme waiting to be unravelled in embarrasing circumstance.
Protection of overseas diplomatic missions and their staff
Nov 7, 2006, 09:14
The Chief Executive Officer in the Prime Minister’s Office said today that Foreign Embassies, High Commissions, United Nations and other international agencies based in Fiji are fully entitled to use their diplomatic privileges to bring in staff from overseas as additional measures to protect their office premises and staff residences along with the safety of their staff and families.
Mr. Jioji Kotobalavu said that there is nothing extraordinary about this.
“It is part of their normal diplomatic entitlement under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations and the Fiji Diplomatic and Consular Privileges and Immunities Act.
“All they have to do is to notify the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs of their intention, and to request the provision of normal courtesies and facilitation on arrival in Fiji.
“The Fiji Police is responsible for the general security of diplomatic missions and their staff in Fiji. However, these missions are free to bring in their own security staff based on their assessments. Some already do this and in certain circumstances they may bring in additional personnel. It is part of their normal entitlement.”
Mr. Kotobalavu stressed, however, that security personnel brought in by overseas missions are strictly for the protection of their diplomatic premises and staff, and nothing else.
Mr. Kotobalavu said that whilst the diplomatic chanceries and premises of these overseas missions are considered to be an integral part of their sovereign jurisdiction, all overseas diplomats and their families are required to fully respect the laws of Fiji.
-END-
The response by the P.M's office is related to the news of Australian arms and men being inserted cavalierly into Fiji, while circumnavigating the basic tenets of law and soverignity of a nation under the U.N charter.
Furthermore this arms smuggling case also underlines the uncanny and un-apologetic abuse of diplomatic previledges by the Australian Government. One can easliy deduce that this incident is really a serious use and misuse of diplomatic pouch services into Fiji.
This unique courier service once reserved for the most enduring functions of diplomacy and foreign relations has been emabarrsingly stained and misappropriated. The offense further highlights the flawed character of the Fiji's current Prime Minister( Laisenia Qarase)by approving the schemed and conniving invasion of arms and men.
It also be shows how diplomatic functions can be maligned, misapplied and misrepresented for malicious and despotic intent of those in Fiji's political circles.
Fiji Times article quotes the Australian embassy officials acknowledging individuals who arrived in-country were really Defense Attaches with special training in subterfuge. Not Australian Federal Police as assumed intially.
This is the excpert of the article:
Aussies beef up security
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
AUSTRALIA has confirmed it has sent defence force personnel to Fiji to bolster security at the Australian High Commission in Suva.
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer and defence officials yesterday would not identify the number of personnel, their roles or their equipment, apart from saying they were "people to assist with coordination and administration".
On Sunday, Fiji's Land Force Commander, Colonel Pita Driti claimed that Fiji's sovereignty had been breached by the arrival of a group of Australian nationals and 400kgs of equipment on Friday.
He said the group had bypassed normal immigration procedures.
Col. Driti warned that the military would not accept foreign intervention. Mr Downer, speaking on ABC Radio, confirmed that some extra staff had been sent to the Australian High Commission in Suva.
"We have sent in some additional coordination and administrative staff in the event that there is a coup and there is some violence associated with the coup," Mr Downer told ABC Radio.
"They obviously have some equipment with them, but I'm not going to go into details of that because it's important that if worse comes to worst, we can do the job effectively."
It is believed that some of the group are members of the army's elite Special Air Services, based out of Swanbourne in Western Australia.
Some of the equipment they brought in is believed to be communications gear to contact two Australian warships, HMAS Newcastle and HMAS Kanimbla which have been sent to stand off Fiji's national waters in case they are needed to evacuate Australian citizens.
Last night, Fiji military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni said they were still trying to find out who the Australian nationals were that entered the country on Friday through Nadi airport. "It could possibly be the SAS. We are yet to confirm that," he said.
More supporters for Commander Frank B use the main arm afforded by democracy in Fiji-Dissent via Letters to Fiji Times editor.
Last man Standing
Your paper and other writers in your paper have heavily criticised the commander of the Fiji Military Forces for opposing the Government on important issues like the RTU and Qoliqoli Bills. I also agree that his threats may be making life uncomfortable for many, but who else in Fiji is opposing these proposed changes to legislation? Suddenly, everyone has gone silent.
What has happened to the opponents of the Bills? Where are the NGOs and their campaign? Where is the Opposition? Have Chaudhry, Bune, Beddoes and others nothing to say? What about the learned academics at USP and the University of Fiji? Where does your paper stand on the issue now?
The military's role is not to oppose the Government, but when political opposition is weak, when there is no effective opposition to a government with a sinister agenda, when civil society neglects its role, when academics refuse to create forums for discussion, I believe that men like Bainimarama, who stand up for what is right should be supported, not abandoned.
Pranesh Nair
Brisbane
Amnesty clause
The dropping of an Amnesty Clause in the about-to-be-reintroduced RTU Bill on the grounds of its 'unconstitutionality' would surely set a precedent.
If it has been discarded on this ground alone, thenlogicallyother Billsmustfollow. May we assume thatthose responsible for drafting and advice willnecessarily meet a similar fate?
Unconstitutionality was apparent and evident from tabling andapplies also to the Qoliqoli Bill and other relatedbills.
Meanwhile, the constitutionally prescribed Code of Conduct and Freedom of Information Bills languish unseen.The prioritisation of legislation seems oddly skewed. Constitutionality was never a previous concern. Indeed, it was summarily overlooked as being of no consequence: a mere inconvenience.
Are we nowtodeduce that of a suddenconstitutionality isall (as it should be)? Or are we being yet again hoodwinked by deception and manipulative deceit?
We have been continuously let down in Fijiby clumsy internationaldiplomacy,by professional men and women who have failed to speak out for justice for all Fiji's people.
The immediate response to the 2006 budget reveals the lack of moral courage and the utter self-interest of Fiji's largest business concerns.
There can be noexcuse for such self-delusion and greed and the crisis we are now in may be laid in large part at their respective doors.
Cowardice is a reprehensible but omnipresent trait. A period of close,quiet self-examination is required by us all. Many of us will not enjoy what we see.
Prue Rouse (Mrs)
Vuda
Club Em Designs
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