Fiji, A Democracy of Half-Measures?

Above: Image of soldier guarding the Government buildings in Suva.

The ever widening division of opinions between the cause and effect of the coup, is reflected in local sentiments covered in this BBC article.

Similar to the calls by Pacific regional protests in this clean-up campaign, the United Kingdom, France, India , European Union and the U.S follow in quick succession. Like their feeble protests prior to the Iraq War, these nation's democratic concerns are usually shortlived, as they seriously ponder their declining market share and influence into Pacific. Some also deeply worry this Fiji coup will inevitably trigger a continuation to the Domino Theory.

This realization of such a wave of change has also been acknowledged by the U.S. Secretary of State; when asked about the developments in the South Pacific. This is an excerpt of the Condaleeza Rice interview with Sydney Morning Herald's correspondent Peter Hartcher, published by Scoop, a New Zealand news agency.

QUESTION: Can I ask you a question about the South Pacific? You might have seen in the last day or two Tonga is the last one. There seems to be --

SECRETARY RICE: Yes, a wave.

QUESTION: Yes, a modern domino theory sweeping through the South Pacific. How do you analyze the problem? How do you see the Australian approach to it? And is there any role for the U.S. directly or is it sort of an Australian sort of division of labor?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, I do think that the problems are somewhat -- you know, it is all in the same region but the problems are different. You know, East Timor has its own particular set of challenges coming out of what appear to be relatively stable evolution after independence, but then problems within the government between various figures in the government, leading then ultimately. But a situation that seems to have gotten better.

You know, a completely different situation in Fiji, where elections which Australia and New Zealand had really put a great deal into, and then this potential for a military coup. Solomon Islands, you had a different set of -- a different situation now in Tonga. I think really more of a police action. But so they're different, but they do all seem to have come in a row. I talk frequently with Alexander Downer about these, but we've greatly appreciated the willingness of Australia, and to a certain extent New Zealand, to be active in putting peacekeeping forces in where necessary and to really, I think, both reacting to the problems there and to being a deterrent to further problems.

So I don't think this is a place where American forces really are needed, but it is -- we have had very close political consultations about each of these as it's gone forward.

This recent change of managment in Fiji would also presents an opportunity for China to further their influence, especially amid the threats of expulsion from the Commonwealth group by their General Secretary. Taking into account, China's recent offer to pay-off loans for Pacific island nations including the debts of continental Africa.

Although the State of Emergency had been declared by the new head of state, Radio New Zealand's report of Fiji media being monitored, may have to be considered with other realities.

S.i.F.M neither supports this curtailment of information in Fiji, as much as condoning the over application of terrorism laws in adding layers of checks to airline transport. One may consider airline security as a necessary evil in the wake of 9/11, but why is the curtailment of one freedom more appreciated over another?

Filling this digital void of information dispersal are Blogs and certain online versions of Fiji publications exist. Among the publications at the leading edge of this transition to cyberpace are Fiji Live, Fiji Times, Fiji Village followed by the Fiji Daily Post, all of which continue to update their webpages, much to the relief of concerned overseas readers.

Other blogs that comment on Fiji's coup is The Lede, whose article had many interesting feedback posts. Other international responses has been made available by this BBC feedback question.


One Fiji Live article reports that, the senior Police officers being taken to the Queen Elizabeth barracks also highlights the racheting up effect of security.

Further contributing signals of enlarging Army security cordon was a report of the arrest of Assistant Police Commissioner and the removal of Ministry C.E.Os from their posts including the C.E.O for Prime Minister's office. As reported by Fiji Live article, all C.E.Os were subsequently released and allowed to return home. However reflecting a lagging perspective on the fluid events in Fiji, an article published by The Age may not considered the release of the CEOs as news worthy.

Above: Image of soldier entering the Fiji Parliament.


New Zealand TV footage describes the escape of Fiji PM to his island of origin and various international views. Including in the other interviews were the appeals by Fiji Prime Minister for the people to demonstrate. Concluding the interview was New Zealand's Prime Minister request for senior officers of the Fiji Army to mutiny. Ultimately this call for mutiny by Helen Clark would be weighed by political observers, against the Fiji P.M's denied request for the intervention of New Zealand and Australian troops.

With respect to the rapid deployment of ANZAC troops and police to Tonga in the aftermath of riots, inextricably those mutinous calls in Fiji's case, underline the relunctance of the Trans-Tasman guardians of democracy to back up their words with deeds .

ABC news video (Real Player) of the unfolding events in Fiji is evidence of itself. Another audio interview by ABC correspondent Emily Burke adds another layer of interviews that dissect the situation in Fiji.


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