Muddy pools of mis-representations from S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition.

More words of wisdom from outgoing U.S ambassador Mssr David Lyons regarding Fiji's complex socio-political situation. Labour party's chaudary claims greed was the cause for the 2000 coups.
Everything in Fiji needs constant review. Leading to the drop
of basic services, especially in Fiji's obsolete medical system. Fiji's V.P re-hashes the dualistic quandary that misleads most rural and uninformed Fijians.

Selected letters to the F.T Editor of Sunday July 24th 2005.

Unity Bill
THE Bill seems to be a repetition of a law created by the Fiji Law Society but this one seems it was created to protect people who break the law. One should understand that whatever is reconciled in us should not be taken again to the law. We are just human beings.

Those who are still hurt from the previous coup should adjust to the environment. Otherwise, they are free to settle elsewhere because this is a democratic country.
Let's move forward and build this nation for the benefit of the next generation. Let's forget the past and work together to make Fiji a better place.

Losana Tunabuna
Nadera

Redundant goods

In March, I read an article in your paper about the shortage of basic items in many small schools.

I believe some of the shortage can be taken care of if the schools are supplied with redundant goods from Australia, including computers, books and writing paper and material.

I can arrange to have the items picked, delivered, storage and distribution to the needy schools in Fiji.

Roger Brown, Sydney
Phone:610-295-191932,
E-mail: j.brown@optusnet.com.au

General elections

The coalition of major Fijian political parties to fight the next election is worrying. It is merely to propagate the Fijian cause to stop any Indian or non-Fijian political party from ruling the country.

What surprises me from the Fiji One news is that the brain-drain behind the move and drafting of the memorandum of understanding is the work of none other than Tomasi Vakatora.

Isn't he the person who headed Vakatora Holdings which owed NBF $1,350,000 when it collapsed in 1995? Should this country have faith and support for people in the community who heaped debts only to pass it on to the taxpayers of this country for settlement?

A prominent and vocal official of the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei, Ema Druavesi, owed $129,882 and Druavesi Holdings $149,949,. She is featured in the coalition and was listed as a National Bank of Fiji debtor in The Fiji Times of June 19, 1996.

Can we, the taxpayers of this country, trust these people who have passed on their debt to be paid by us? No wonder the price of consumer goods, fuel and other daily essentials continue to go up.

Adi Nunia Kula
Suva

What's her problem?

WHAT is Adi Koila's problem? Everyone in Lau is permitted by law to sit and listen to the official meeting of the Lau Provincial Council.

Adi Koila can attend the meeting if she asks to address the council on a particular subject. It will be up to the council and chairman to agree or disagree with her request.

But it is really a no-brainer what the Government is trying to do with its Unity Bill to get rid of the stigma of the 2000 coup. Anyone with a bit of brain would realise it. The Bill only concerns the 2000 coup, not before or after.

Why is she acting as if she wants to have revenge on the government of the day for ousting her late father from office? It was not the Government that was responsible. It wasn't George Speight either.

Instead, she should be pushing the Commissioner of Police to investigate the person who forced her father out of office - army commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

She should be ticked-off with him and not the Government. If her aim is to claim the Tui Lau title she's got something else coming. The title of Tui Lau is decided by the Lau Provincial Council. If it wants, the council can appoint a commoner to be the Tui Lau or even Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

Jone Kama
Toronto Canada

Bold stand

I COMMEND the army commander for his bold stand against the Unity Bill and his summary on it — 'Bill work of warped minds'.

Hence, I would like to suggest that the commander set his house in order because it was the army officers and members of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit who perpetrated the 1987 and 2000 coups.

They were the ones who held guns and emptied the armoury at Delainabua. Why don't we give the Bill, with all deleted clauses on amnesty, a chance?
MESAKE TORA,
Suva

Unity Bill

TO those trying to force the Bill down our throat, can they guarantee there will be no more coup in Fiji? If no, then the Bill has failed in its prime objective — to prevent instability. Will it be used to favour those who remove the regime the day?

Deducing from the political climate, the Bill has promoted no reconciliation, unity or tolerance but divided and tore the nation apart. I look forward to a Bill that can make my life simple and peaceful.

Ravind Naidu
Labasa

Muddy tracks around the circle of political dis-enachantment.

More labour insurrection in Fiji. No more Mister Nice guy from the Fiji Unions who have members of multi races fed up with this Mickey Mouse type of industrial relations. Begining of Fiji's industrial birth pains.

Placing scrutiny in Fiji's cash crop- Sugar which is on the decline.

Qarase is trying to paint this controversial R.T.U Bill in different colors. No one is buying that one, sir!
The Police will and Fiji Military have that covered already and initial evidence points to your S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition.
U.S academic raises an Utopian Theory on protocol in Civilian/Military chain of command. It does not factor in the coup-culture and the volatile racial equilibrium in Fiji.

This rip-off deal by a fly-by-night security firm in Kuwait should prove a point that Fijians should start their own security enterprises, since they already posess the skills. Maybe this would be the new export template to diversify Fiji's export industry to include human capital. However the current work environment in Fiji requires a overhaul to prevent cases of abuse and red-tape in Fiji's civil service.
There is a campaign to Kill Mis-information in Fiji that hijacks the issues of native rights, inciting nationalism for political advancement. More efforts of that regard are required in the multi-media industry in Fiji.
Especially to counter rhetoric from pseudo-political organization hiding behind the title of Policy Enhancement. The heritage foundation is a big donor to the Republican party (G.O.P) to the political pundits. So they must follow the White House talking points. Welcome to policy Intiative forums using the U.S style, University of the South Pacific.

Fiji Times Editorial is trying to get action done via it's static position.

More juicy perspectives of fed up Fiji Citizens as appeared in the Letters to the Editor-Sat. July 23rd 2005 edition.

Kill Mis-information in Fiji politics.

The R.T.U Bill divisive has claimed more victims. Soqosoqo vakamarama a non-entity in Fiji politics are going against the cultural grain which they frequently wave around inconsistently. Technically violating Viti culture. Generally women are not allowed to comment, participate or meddle with political matters in Fiji.
So everyone in Fiji applies culture for their own agendas.

Another large union federation warns Qarase's Government on the R.T.U Bill. Fiji's civil service has always played games like this with the Fiji unions. But the Fiji Nurse unions won't tolerate this deception in agreements.


This gate keeping role of Government is being addressed by Citizens Consitutional Forum spokesman.

Me Inc. That is the template which Fiji Youth should be investing their time in, claims Fiji Development Bank C.E.O. But in an environment of monopolies, that model of free-enterprise cannot succeed in Fiji.

Chronic mis-representations in Fiji politics.

Fiji's Police Commissioner may not be vocal of his dislike for the R.T.U Bill. But his actions lately, show his dislike for it.
So does the actions of Fiji Women's N.G.O's.
The rate at which Fiji's the 'bean counters' overlook numerical accucracy in their operating procedures. The more occurences of over-spending of Fiji's treasury.
The migration of skilled nurses from Fiji shores is only one dimension of the problem, of the lack of an adequate living wage scale in Fiji that factors in the high taxes and under par basic services of water, electricity and telephone bills. Need I say more.
The layer of old farts in decision making positions in Fiji have placed an artificial ceiling on low income wages while neglecting to rein in excessive salary levels of Executive pay scale.
Fiji Civil Service has a unit called Higher Salaries Commision which monitors the salaries of all executives in every state and private organization. This unit have developed a formula that projects a straight line graph on the incremental increases that they think Fiji's economy is capable of sustaining.

The same people are at it trying to prevent Fiji from developing. Home Affairs minister is caught with his pants down by interfearing with staff selections which affects people's liveli-hood. Good people willing to speak out against injustice in Fiji.
Senator Koila Nailatikau, daughter of the late Fiji President Ratu Mara lashes out at the inconsistencies of Qarase's idealogies and brings up the neglected public infrastructure which should be a higher priority, if Qarase was serious in being a statesman. S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition policies reverse the long standing tradition of multi-racialism in Fiji, spits on the pedestal of human rights and thumbs their noses at international opposers to this R.T.U Bill. When transparent dialogue is warranted.
Koila asks an important question: Why can't Qarase et all, unable to function without the coup perpertraitors? The same question which Kotobalavu, the C.E.O of Prime Minister's office evaded, goose stepped. Typical yes-man and echos the used diatribe that R.T.U Bill is important in the long term interest of Fiji. You're entitled to your own opinions, Mssr Kotobalavu, whether or not it is the god-given truth, is debatable.
N.L.T.B is obviously trying to justify it's role in changing native agricultural land into commercial property. Imagine it took them all this time to implement it. The N.L.T.B complains of lack of funding, yet the Fiji National Provident Fund is seeking viable projects to invest their surplus funds in.
The logical option of having F.N.P.F invest in this particular kind of landowner commercial projects is NOT being widely adapted for an age old reason.
The policiy of creating stumbling blocks for the financial independence of commoners. Social stratifying the chiefs interests by giving them carte blanche in Fijian Holdings under the smokes screen of Fijian supremacy and Affirmative Action. Which realistically is a voter-buying scheme.

That Nadi landowner, creating the Westfield city project is not subscribing to the N.L.T.B's colonial template of selective social engineering. Good for him. I wish every landowner in Fiji shared his vision. Maybe the political problems will diminish drastically due to shared wealth, leading to financially independent Fijians and lower unemployement and crime.
Fiji Reserve Bank is releasing a new definition of "foreign reserves" which may take years to filter down to the actual working class of accountants and bankers. How does this affect Fiji's macro-economy has not been outlined by the Fiji Reserve bank.

Fiji's agricultural Minsiter is raising an entrepreneurial opputunity that has escaped the imagination of successive Fiji Government policies. Past agricultural projects have failed due to the lack of project oversight and reporting as well as the abscence of qualified and industrious personnel.
The root problems within Fiji Agricultral Ministry still exists. The time for excuses is over, it's time that these C.E.O take some responsability in their decisions. Fiji's laws should also penalise officials who are not performing.
Even Fiji lacks a comprehensive energy policy. Qarase touts this Bio-fuel concept but
files the project under maybe. If Qarase at least used the same urgency used in bulldozing the R.T.U Bill in Fiji, to push this project forward just shows how backward the entrenched mentality in Fiji's decision making roles.

Neglect Engineering, Science and Techonology and one accelerates their own economic demise.

The misconception that having Fijians at the helm of the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society( P.I.C.I.S.O.C) will bring success in Fiji's internet capacity cannot be serious considered. Due to the fact that this organization will have to intiate the reformative policies of combating the digital divide in Fiji.
It is a fact, that Moore's Law concludes that the power of microprocessors will increase exponentially every 18 months. USA's bandwidth increases every 2 years.

I believe, Fiji bandwidth capacity will not be expected to expand much until the Telecomunication monopoly in Fiji is removed. Reforms is a necessary evil, if Fiji wants to be a economic juggernaut in the South Pacific. Not undertaking reform of multi-industries, Fiji's dream will remain just that. Successful action, requires self-discipline. Like this office of the Ombudsman in Fiji. They should at least consider opening another permanent office in Vanua Levu, to cater for the population base. This underfunding of crucial state oversight mechanims, is being deliberately financially strangled, to propogate this culture of cronyism and corruption in Fiji.

Mud overfloweth.

G.C.C members must be reading my posts, in their decision to get the better grasp on the legal wording by seeking other opinions other than Fiji's crooked Attorney General.

An article in Fiji Sun by Victor Lal, a former journalist in Fiji and now reading law at the University of Oxford dissects the legality issue.
The Editorial also praises G.C.C's decision to seek other advice on R.T.U Bill. Fiji Labour Party condems Kotobalavu of the Prime Minister's office saying the Bill is an internal matter.

This is what can be achieved by the Taukei when control are transferred from N.L.T.B to the landowning unit. Now imagine if every landowner operated according to this template?This man proves that N.L.T.B is the stumbling block, root cause of all ethnic bad blood and political upheavals in Fiji.
Even the Fiji Times editorial echos my sentiments.
Stealing from the dead is the end result of under paying workers and not legislating a minimum wage in Fiji.

People who break the law in Fiji, require neccessary roughness. Like so.

Qarase had a damage control meeting after threats from Fiji military.
The plans by Fiji Government officials to out-source a new Commander from Australia is a plausible denial. Adding more fuel to the fire of volatile resentment which currently exists between the two entities.
At least the G.C.C is being prudent to seek alternative advice on this divisive R.T.U Bill.
S.V.T poltical party is placing their support squarely behind Fiji military commander.
Fiji Police Commissioner is lashing out at the layer of burearacracy in Fiji public service. It just adds to the litany of comments in regard to reform being delayed in Fiji, by old farts wearing 'dead men's' shoes.
The F.T editorial of Tuesday July 19th condems this muddy layer of incompetance in Fiji.

Mud surfing on Cronyism, Abuse and Exuses in Fiji's civil service like the comments by C.E.O of Prime Minister's office. Pictured here with new wife.

The deviation of law as instigated by this Bill is a dangerous precedent. For sake of arguement, what if the perpetraitors of the 2000 coup operation was actively financed by Al-Qaeda. Would they still be recepients of the amnesty provisions designed by the crooked Attorney General?

How about if those currently held in custody for the coup charges, by some remote twist of fate was found in possession of hard drugs and accused of a prior offense of sex with a minor. Will their new offences fit the amnesty clause?

How about if the same people stormed a meeting of Great Council of Chiefs and forcibly disrobed every member and paraded them under the blue skies of Fiji. Will the G.C.C then, still want to endorse the Bill?

Having both camps( supporters and opposers) advice the G.C.C is the only way to prevent the institution from being swayed to the agendas of the corrupt. Even if their translation of the R.T.U Bill is published, the contents of the translation must be scruntinized by an independent body, to ensure no mis-information of the legal wording.

The comments of the C.E.O of Fiji Prime Minister's office is beyond the pale of comprehension and shows how far Kotobalavu is isolated from reality on the ground. Human Rights is an international concern, that is why Fiji is a signatory to international treaties. If Fiji wanted to operate independent of other nations, then why take the time in sending diplomats to the U.N? Fiji is not a nation in a vacuum. It must abide by it's obligations. No lip-service or rhetorical comment by any civil servant can change that indisputable fact.

The Fiji Government is seriously out of money to pay for it's obligations. How can Fiji go on living beyond it's means. Even water which is a basic human right is not forthcoming in suburbs of Suva.

Selected F/T Letter to Editors of Mon July 18th 2005.

What is Government afraid of?

This latest effort of the Government to rein in the debate on the Reconciliation Bill is contradictory, counter-productive and truly pathetic.

The Prime Minister spends a great deal of his time wooing foreign business people and investors in the hope of encouraging more of them to bring their money into the country. And yet, when these same people voice their concerns about the destabilising effect of the Reconciliation Bill, the Ministry of Home Affairs tells them to shut up or be kicked out of the country.

According to the Ministry, expats' work permits forbid them from engaging in political activities in Fiji. I have yet to locate the source of this restriction. However it raised a number of questions.

First, the Ministry clearly assumes that engaging in political activities including making public statements about matters of public interest. But that is an activity protected by the right to freedom of speech, which is a constitutionally guaranteed protection enjoyed by everyone in the country, not just citizens.

Secondly, as the Fiji Employers Federation has pointed out, the current sorry state of local politics is not just a matter of passing interest for many business people and investors. It hits them right in the hip pocket.

Businesses do no flourish in an unstable environment because instability increases uncertainty and multiplies financial risk.

Having failed to control the RFMF Commander, and as more dissenters in the indigenous community voice their objections to the blatant railroading of provincial councils, the Government now appears to be venting its frustration at the mounting public opposition to the Bill on a group it sees as more pliable.

Peter Ridgway was perhaps the first to experience this. We have yet to learn to what extent his ejection from the country has damaged Fiji's relations with Australia but we can be sure that our Government's ingratitude and rudeness did not go unnoticed.

What a shame it would be if the many wonderful expatriates from all over the world who grace Fiji's shores stopped coming. How much poorer would we be without them.
They contribute enormously, not just to our economy but in every sphere - enriching our diversity and overall quality of life.

It is only natural that expats should speak our on matter affecting them and the Government's hostile reaction is really a measure of its inability to withstand criticism. Since the Prime Minister says the debate is healthy, let everyone participate.

What is he afraid of?

Rev Akuila Yabaki
CCF Executive Director

Be truthful

Since my letters (FT 25/4, 11/5) the only response from FNPF came from its public relations officer (FT 22/4) who, by implication, induced the readers to sail with Sinbad to the Seven Seas. This is an insult in the highest order to all the contributors who are members and beneficiaries of the FNPF.

They have been rubbished, ignored and not told what they wanted to know, which is their right.

What game is the chief executive officer and board of directors of the Fiji National Provident Fund playing? They must not lose sight of the fact that primarily all of them are servants of the contributors who are member and beneficiaries of the fund.

I must keep on reminded the FNPF board of directors and its CEO not to forget that as custodians of the members fund they must ensure that there is adequate retirement funds for its members. They must also tell members in a very clear explanation the method and logics the FNPF administers the distribution of each member's dividend include of 6.5 per cent.

FNPF explained that it would undertake a 12 months awareness program to register people who would hitherto considered by them as employees.

The fund is roping in more employees now to contribute and become members of the fund. What about spending three to six months to explain in this column to the members how they administer the FNPF members' dividend income.

Any person who understands the virtue of responsibility must consider duty bound to explain to members who the fund is answerable to what they want to know within their rights.

Why the evasion? Why are they silent? It is one year now since I questioned the CEO and he is not talking. Has he been instructed by the board to shut up? If you think that in the passage of time I will give up questioning you , you are making a mistake.

Come down from you ivory tower and tell the members how you administer the distribution of dividend income. Once again I shall wait for your detailed explanation.

Manu D Korovulavula
Nasinu

Spot on editorial

I fully agree with your editorial comment (FT 12/7) and the issues that were highlighted on the amnesty bill.

Your suggestion that the PM needs to set aside his personal dislike of the military commander and accept the fact is indeed what the people of this nation have been looking forward to for a long time now.

It may be a big task for the PM but it is high time he came out of the world of assumptions and saw the reality for once. The country cannot afford the consequences of the PM and his government members' unfounded dislike of a capable person like the army commander.

Fiji has gone through one of the most trying times any country can go through and the citizens of this country owe a great deal of gratitude to the military for the stability we enjoy today.

Had not it been for the tireless efforts of the army, the judiciary system that is in place now would have been replaced with the law of the jungle.

To ridicule the views of the people who saved the country from a major disaster is really dumb and it just goes to show the shallowness and greed prevalent in some people at the helm of leadership in Fiji.

The commander, like most of the citizens of Fiji, would not like to see the country held to ransom by power hungry goons as in 2000. His outbursts are an indication that he senses trouble and a chance of the events of 2000 repeating if the amnesty Bill goes through.

The people who are hell bent on seeing the Bill through parliament will sleep in comfort of their homes if an event like 2000 surfaces. It will then become the job of the military to steer the country back to normalcy.

The people of Fiji should throw their support behind a person like the army commander who is trying his best to avoid taking the country back into the doldrums, rather than opportunist politicians who will take cover at the first sign of trouble.

The commander is trying to wake us up to the face that prevention is better than cure and he should get the support he deserves

For starters, I would like to assure him that he has my family's support for his good intentions and we are grateful for his organisation's efforts in giving us a stable environment to live in.

Sarita Kumar
Nabua

Fountains of muddy bias from supporters of this R.T.U Bill.

Chaudary condems Australia's foreign Minister who is not exactly a saint himself, especially after engineering the take over of East Timor's rich oil fields.

Fiji military is deploying more personnel for rural advisory roles on the controversial R.T.U Bill.

It is abundantly clear that most of Fiji's chiefs and their provinces blindly support this Bill demarcating them from the grass roots people who reject the provisions in the Bill.

Too bad that this Ministry of Reconcilaition C.E.O is not giving Fiji citizens, a fair and balanced perspective of the Bill, selectively ommiting dangers of the amnesty clauses.

The Fiji President should be given veto powers in the passage of any Bills in Fiji parliament. Having the position as just a rubber stamp authority is quite a waste of time and money.

C.A.M.V party president is another of those louts in cheap suits, who has conveniently forgotten the events of 2000 which some of his members were actively involved. That is the rotten state of Fiji politics.

Another of these scoundrels and bush lawyer Mssr Kitione Vuataki, should be arrested for inciting racial conflict in an already volatile situation in Fiji.

G.C.C is obviously out of sync with the cultural matters for Fijians. Especially, phasing out burdening funeral and wedding obligations that keeps the Fijian race chained to the feet of petty chiefs.

Muddy creeks of Excuses and Abuses in Fiji Politics.

The case of V.A.T ( Value Added Tax)has been overturned by Fiji Appeals Court in favor of Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority. This is not the end of legal avenues for the plantiffs who have disclosed their intentions to take the matter up to Fiji's Supreme Court.
The real motives for the policies of Affirmative Action driven by Qarase's S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition was, as predicted
fueled by dubious motives.
On the other end of the intelligence spectrum, Fiji's Vice President continues to be vocal of the need for community cohesion in Fiji.
The comments by a Israeli trained security to defend Qarase's Government came under a blistering attack from all quarters.
Plans for the grand Fijian coalition also was scrutinized by political writers of Fiji Sun.
Fiji's Home Affairs Minister is not backing up his threats to discipline military commander for heated and vilifying comments against the S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition. Empty threats by the Minister as usual because of fear of retaliation not by the military itself but from right thinking Fiji citizens who have Commander Bainimarama's back.

Fiji Labour party lashes out at comments by Fiji Government officials against expatriates voicing their opinions on the R.T.U Bill. Police state indeed! More disputes into native land titles shows that N.L.T.B is not doing their job. Just give administration role back to the landowners.
More people regardless of race join the migration train out of Fiji because of harsh policies and low wages.
The comments by a N.Z consultant did not fall well on those old farts sitting on the board of directors of state enterprises including the draconian Chairman Isimeli Bainimarama. Sometime it only takes a new perspective to identify the root problems hidden from the de-sensatized view of these unqualified directors.

Muddy tracks from the Fiji Prime Minister's Office.

The comments by FMF commander of another coup has created more problems.

11 of 14 provinces in Fiji, who support the Bill can't say that they have their mandate without a scientific referendum in their respective provinces.
The time for having only a select group of unelected individuals to decide on matters that could affect everyone in Fiji; is an indication of ingrained colonial mind-set that is undemocratic and not transparent. Maybe Fiji's military should consider using their media cell to create talking points to be broadcast over the radio spectrum or T.V and maybe the internet in Fiji.
F.M.F Commander and officers seriously need to embrace technology, to enable their message in reaching rural Fijians, further and faster. Case in point, this stuck-in-fiji-mud blog!
It is a window of opportunity to break the Fiji Government's gate keeping role that has been abused for mis-information. Holding back the tide of change, for their own wicked agendas. Well, two can play that game!
The parting words of former U.S envoy on Fiji's political landscape should at least be an eye opener for the stakeholders, if they're wise to listen.

The efforts by Fiji Government officials to lash out at expatriates commenting on the R.T.U Bill highlights the immature mentality that may become an institutional norm, is the bigger concern.
Yet in light of all these factors, Finance officials in Fiji are adamant that they can still meet their target growth rate.

Muddy Layer of Double Standards and Lip Service in Fiji Public Service.

The creepy R.T.U Bill continues to face ongoing opposition from all quarters in Fiji. That baseless comment from Foreign Affairs Minister on the benefit of democracy and how freedom of speech is practiced in Fiji is an indication of that. Certainly doesn't jive with the fact that the ancient order called Fijian Affairs Board only wants the Qarase's Government to brief the provinces on the Bill. Isn't that a contradiction? Politically Gate-keeping per se!
It is fortunate there are level headed individual within the Fiji Government like the learned Vice President- Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi who unravels the Race card that Qarase is wielding for political advantage in the eve of 2006 elections.
Well that's how Qarase runs things. Especially for these spoon fed, colonial babies like Fijian Affairs Board and Great Council of Chiefs really don't have any real financial sucesss to show the Fijian race, besides this addiction to colonial practices and cultural backward work ethics, that is an eternal drain to the Fiji's public treasury that can be better used for water and electricity problems for everyone.
Qarase's indicates the Bill may be amended is the signal of S.D.L/C.A.M.V's self-cavitation from public pressure locally as well as internationally.
Continued criticism against this grand Fijian coalition of political parties from the 'ivory towers' of elements who advocate social and racial segregation in Fiji politics.
The lack of money is hampering legal aid. This uncreative mind-set in Fiji Public service that is quite shocking. This problem is easily solved with a Law insisting ALL Lawyers be placed under a prescribed amount of time in hours; dedicated to 'pro-bono' work for Fiji's low income earners. This work program should administered by a special unit created within the Fiji Law Society and Fiji Justice Department. The costs should also be tax deductable in Fiji tax systems to be effective with a severe penalty, for defaulting Law firms.
Minister for Home Affairs, Vosanibola needs to check himself into a mental institution. He blames the Fiji media for creating this atmosphere of uncertainity regarding the R.T.U Bill highlights how far he is divorced from reality. S.D'L/C.A.M.V needs to re-examine their own agendas because they are neglecting the fact; that they are servants of the people. Not the other way around.

Be nice to the people on your way up because those are the same people, one will meet on your way down!

The issue with sticking to rules and laws is often taken lightly in Fiji by the very people who should be the pillars of society and yet are they very first ones breaking the same rules they just enacted.
Simple cause and effect, because there is No "Whistle blower" legislation or "Freedom of Information" laws as a mechanism for checks and balances. The absolute trust given to Fiji Government officials have been used and abused for too long. It should end now, to prevent the primary deviation from societal norms which gives rise to the erosion of Fiji's moral fibre leading to political instabilities like the cycle of coups seen in Fiji. The end result is anarchy as labelled by Military Commander; which this R.T.U Bill will definately be a catalyst for more calamity in Fiji.
The debate on living wages in Fiji in order to survive in the rising cost of living is needed urgently. Fiji's inability to create a datum of basic wage levels continues to drive the skill migration from Fiji's shores. These colonistic policies need to be be rebalanced to attract the best talent so that Fiji's economy can compete by creating world class products. Nickel and diming, won't do at all!

Muddy tracks down another garden path tour in Fiji politics.

Fiji Military Commander is threatening immediate action in the most heated tone ever, if S.D.L/C.A.M.V tables the controversial R.T.U Bill in Fiji.

Departing U.S envoy Davd Lyons expressed reservations on hints of political upheavals in Fiji. It has been raised time and time again that land is the cause for Fiji's political problems. Who has been the administrators for
the same land? Native Lands Trust Board.

The plans by these recycled Politicians for a grand Fijian Coalition party is an exercise in futility.

The financial protections in Fiji that has received alot of media attention still has to live up to it's reputation. Money talks and Bull shit walks!
The Provincial Council supporting this R.T.U Bill have denied being led on by the Qarase's Cabinet. Yeah right.
The true gauge of independence is action. Having most chiefs suport the R.T.U Bill does not mean all chiefs in Fiji blindly support it.

F.T Letters to the Editor- Weds July 13th 2005

Getting it right

THE National Bank of Fiji saga cost the country over $200million. We are still paying the price for high level corruption. Who ended up in jail for this mess?

As a former court reporter I recall the only person who did time in jail was some obscure branch manager. He became the scapegoat to appease the public outcry. I covered that trial. None of the head honchos who dipped their hands in the public purse was successfully convicted.

Compare that to the success of prosecutors working on the files from the crises of 2000. Chiefs, soldiers, villagers and even former parliamentarians are finding that the rule of law does apply to them without any discrimination of status or creed.

We are finally getting it right. If the Prime Minister has been quoted correctly (FT 9/7) then all the hard work will be to no avail. Whats wrong with retributive justice? If he wants to play the Christian card, my argument is that it is perfectly legitimate and biblical.

As for the time factor, let justice be slow and sure. Expediency is a poor foundation to build this countrys future on. Who knows what greater cost we might have to pay then?

Josua Tuwere
Suva

Health service

THE death of a six-year-old boy of Sigatoka raises some questions about our health system. The father of the boy claims that treatment at the Sigatoka Hospital was delayed because the X-ray machine was not working.

However, the doctor claims that all the proper procedures were followed, including admitting and observing the patient. Admit and observe until when? When the situation worsens? Whose duty is it to see that chemicals to develop X-ray films are in stock?

If an investigation is lodged on the case, many excuses will be put forward by the authorities.
Does any anyone count the cost of human misery and suffering? What makes it worse is that sometimes such cases can be avoided.

Neelesh Gounder
Nausori

Meddling pastors

OVER the past weeks, some members of the Association of Christian Churches in Fiji have been hogging the airwaves on radio talkback shows, defending the Unity Bill.

I understand that the apologists are paid by the Government, and who pays the piper, calls the tune. I have no problem with that but what bothers me is that while trying to explain away the amnesty clause in the Bill, they are showing that they are fools.

They were insensitive and intemperate in their replies and became irritable when queried by some listeners. They sounded like there was a bee in their bonnet. In some instances, they were so worked-up and got carried away that I started to think they were quoting from Mein Kampf instead of the Bible.

I was disgusted by some callers, not because the traits were bad but because they were unbecoming, as men who declare themselves to be in a special relation with God dau lotu, vakabulai, vakabauta. The Unity Bill contains riddles which can enthrall the uninitiated and the riddles are best explained by lawyers and politicians, not priests and reverends.

The meddlesome priests and reverends must learn to separate themselves from politics because theirs is a different calling. They taint not only themselves but the denomination they represent when they are seen and heard to curry favour with politicians and parties.

There is a lesson here for the church, especially the Methodist Church it must not allow itself to be used by the Government. It must take its cue from its wiser and older mother church, the Catholic Church.

The history of the Methodist Churches foray into politics since 1987 has been a convulsive event for the church. They have nothing but disasters to show for it. Now they have a chance to redeem themselves and restore faith and credibility in their institution.

The Methodist Church must remain firm and steadfast and shine its light brighter at the grim prospects the nation faces in the form of the Unity Bill. When anarchy and darkness envelope the land, it is the church that must be the beacon that points the way to safety.

Penisoni Gauna
Taveuni

Mudslide of Opposition to Lies, Mis-representations in Fiji Politics.

Fiji's Minister of Home Affairs braces himself against his critics. Is he sure he will win his seat in the next elections.

The showdown for the hearts and minds of voters is heating up in the wake of this controversial R.T.U Bill. Qarase is playing the race card and accussing the efforts of Fiji Law Society as Anti-Fijian. Qarase is losing it, big time. He is realistically grabbing at straws, politically speaking.

This interesting legal case between the state of Fiji Vs New Zealand Pacific Training Centre(NZPTC) raises the important issues of Governance. It is good that a clarification to the powers of the Exexcutive branch and the Parliament with regard to this V.A.T tax which has been severely bothersome and enslaves the low income earners and the poor. I agree with the plantiff's position: There can be No taxes without representation! That was the same cry during the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

Fiji Military Comander continues his verbal assualt on the main master minds behind the R.T.U Bill: None other than the crooked Attorney General Mssr Qoroniasi Bale and Mssr Apisalome Tudreu both veteran civil servants and seriously past their use by date by decades.
They are the same old boy network who hamper social mobility by clogging up the system in Fiji with their despotic ideas.

Britain's efforts to reduce its foot print in the Pacific is drawing concern from Fiji's Foreign Minister who obviously thought this honeymoon would last forever. His reactions demonstrate Fiji Governments post-colonial mentality of over-reliance on tied Foreign Aid. His old school policies is counter produtive to Fiji's economical maturity which is still anchored to the pre-indistrial age.

One of the issue that has been rehashed so many times in Fiji public is the issue of calibre of the board of directors of state enterprises in Fiji, which is another joke in theory and field applications.

F.T Editorial Article is really putting heat on the S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition. It also raises the concern of this artificial digital divide deliberatley kept in place, so that Fiji Government can sway opinions. The result: 9 provinces support this R.T.U Bill, yet most of urban dwelling ethnic Fijians reject this Bill outright. The question of the formulaic ratios of rural based electoral seats and urban based one in Fiji will be the next legal wrangle after this R.T.U Bill has been sorted out. It is an indication that Fiji is growing up as a community. Change is constant.

It is the cognitive dissonance that has chained the rural dwellers of Fiji to development obscurity.

The Muddy layer of Mis-information in Fiji.

The arrogant S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition have encountered an unified opposition to the R.T.U Bill passage. I salute Fiji Military Commander!
Frank Bainimarama is not mincing his words against the present Fiji Government( S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition). Straight shooters like him are a rare in Fiji and the nation is desperate for more people of that outstanding mould. People with the moral courage to question the colonial entrenched Fijian cultural establishment.
Let's change the status quo in Fiji!

Floreat Viti.

This R.T.U Bill is creating division within the ranks of Fiji Lawyers too. I believe these Taukei Lawyers who support the Bill are naive and fail to recognise the damaging indirect affect to the rule of law and order. If these Fijian Lawyers want to create a splinter group, go ahead. That's the beauty of democracy, they want to change. This new organization will never be recognised beyond the bridge of their noses.

This type of social responsibility advocated by Fiji Tourism Resource Owners Association is not on Fiji Governments agenda, simply due to the policy of propping up Chiefs and other colonial styled entities.

That is why the landowners in Fiji are evolving their business plan to take their destiny into their own hands. Good job! I feel that people are slowly coming around to new alternatives other than the over-relying on the crumbs from the dinner table of Native Lands Trust Board.

Fiji Education Department should not micro manage the funds of the E.U. Instead a new agency should be created for that exact purpose. The trouble with having the Ministry of Education being in control, in could possibly siphon off funds to an obscure slush fund, ready for the pickings of corrupt officials in the organization.

This fire in the Suva rubbish dump has underligned the under strength of Fiji's scientific capacity. The model of research launched by Pacific Forum Secretariat must be adopted now, in Fiji Government.

Leadership workshops like this in Fiji is a step forward but not the final solution to all problems. I reckon it's another theoratical harangue with little applications to the real world of racial conflict, corruption, poverty. This workshop cannot guarantee a place in the negotiating table of the G-8 goup of nations. That is the real demarcation of leadership on his planet. Do get me wrong, I'm not against the workshop. It just doesn't change the greater equation in terms of the global trade policies and trade barriers to third world countries.

The failure of this Yaqara Movie Studio project is evidence in itself, that the plans of the brain child, Mssr Phillip Gerlach was over optimistic, lacking the fundamentals of establishing a creative industry in Fiji. I beleive Mssr Gerlach, is misleading the Fiji Government for his own gain. Realistically he is NOT a major player in the movie-production industry. Never has been!

When you compare his name with the likes of Mel Gibson, who purcased Mago Island from a consortium of Japanese developers. The legal debate on the ownership will eventually ignite a huge legal battle, especially after Qarase annouced the move to return the Fishing rights ownership back to the Fiji natives or Taukei(landowners).

Fiji Senator Atu-Bain raises the issue of double standards used by Qarase in Parliament's March sitting.

Land alienation in relation to this large hotel developments can also (as we know) extend to very large areas, the whole islands in fact or significant part of these islands can be lost to big up market hotel developments as Turtle Island, Wakaya and now Mago Island, 2,000 hectares of land sold to Mel Gibson for around $15 million when the original owners have been struggling for years to reclaim their ancestral home.

I would just like to say here, this whole case really disturbs me because I have many memories of working in the National Archives back in the 1980s when there were groups of landowners coming in to the National Archives looking up the old records in relation to their ancestral homes. That included a group who came up to look for records on the theft of their island, Mago.

It is disturbing to see how people who have been struggling to reclaim their home for so long, have now been told by the honourable Prime Minister, that he can do nothing about the sale that is taking place. These islands are lost forever to indigenous owners and are used for the private gain of millionaires. Is this really the kind of development we should be supporting? Is this really in the best interest of the indigenous communities?

This move by Mel Gibson really moves the lime-light away from Yaqara project to obscurity. One will also notice the comments by Mssr Gerlach that he is slowing changing his tune. First he was all about Film production. Now it's about Resort development in the same Yaqara location.
The idea to out-source talent overseas to the Boards of state companies in Fiji, is a new approach worth considering.

Muddy creeks of Mis-information and Deceipt in Fiji Politics.

The endless cyle of inefficient state bodies in Fiji lingers on, to the detriment of development and progress for all.

Deception is the crucible for power in Fiji. Unfortunately the dense brain matter between the ears of the members of the S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition will ultimately be the demise of all Fiji citizens.
Fiji's Catholic Archbishop lays down the Biblical text of Reconciliation that Qarase et all has clouded with cynicism and misinformation. Rebutting the unsubstantiated claims by supporters, that the R.T.U Bill was consistent with biblical teachings. This effectively widens the rift between the Catholic members of the church in Fiji and the S.D.L /C.A.M.V coalition in the eve of the 2006 elections.

S.D.L party director still has NOT fathomed, understood or come to grips with the legal conflict within the wording of the R.T.U Bill and the Fiji 1997 constituion as well as other international treaties of human rights, thickening the layer of biased rhetoric in Fiji.

Fiji's Vice President continues to advocate changing the cultural status quo in Fiji's traditional framework, which echos my own reasoning with the archaic and abusive system.

Chairman of Fiji's Electoral Commission pleads for continous building of capacity in Fiji. He is also the Chairman of Fiji Law Society which has threaten a legal challenge if the S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition Government proceeeds with tabling the R.T.U Bill.

The sorry state of moral highground in Fiji's civil service like this case; is an insult to the Fiji public and realistically only the tip of the ice berg of in-bred incompetance.

Finally Fiji Landowners understand that the N.L.T.B is not pursuing their best interests. The idea of having the family landowning units be transformed to a trust organization makes real sense. It also combats the unemployment and poverty issues simulataneously in Fiji.
The common factor for the 1987 and 2000 coups is the bastard organization called Native Lands Trust Board.

It is only human intelligence to attempt other avenues if the current course of action is unsatifactory. I have been advocating this comprehensive rebalancing of Trust management to remove the N.L.T.B's monopolistic scourge, once and for all.

I spit on the repugnant idea of giving N.L.T.B more power in controlling the Native Fishing Boundaries, instead of giving the landowners the management reigns.

Selected F.T Letters to The Editor-Sun July 10th 2005.

Learn to forgive

I READ your article on the Rotuma Council backing the Bill.

It is nice to see we have people who know the culture of how we should not live with hurt and learn to forgive. It is a proud thing to say — that we are known as Fiji Islanders.

It is true but did they think about it when people were walking inside Parliament with guns? This government looks after everyone, as did the Labour government.

But why are they treated like criminals? If forgiving is such an important thing for us Fiji Islanders, then anyone can kill, rape and steal and still ask for forgiveness.

We would not need law and order then. The Government would understand if it experienced the same thing. If there is another coup in the country, I am sure the Government will use the Unity Bill to forgive them.

The Government does not need a debate on the Unity Bill. It should concentrate on important issues such as unemployment, poverty and crime. There are other major issues to deal with, so let's not waste time on the Bill.

Ashika Singh
Suva

Bale's debt

I REFER to a letter (FT 14/6) by Adi Nunia Kula on the debt Qoriniasi Bale's law firm has in the NBF saga, amounting to $556,000.

How come Mr Qarase appointed Mr Bale as Attorney-General? Didn't Mr Qarase check Mr Bale's record before he appointed him?

The country is still paying for the NBF scam and taxpayers suffer the most. I think Mr Bale should put his record straight first rather than try to ruin the country's future by pushing the Unity Bill through.

It would be considerate of Mr Bale to resign and give way to a right thinking person who can give sound advice to Mr Qarase rather than put Fiji's future at risk.

Madhu Nair
Suva


Supremacy doctrine

THE front page (ST 7/3) on Vice-President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi calling for a change in the attitude of indigenous Fijians as a people and to face our political phobia is a huge step in the right direction to national stability.

How, why and when did this attitude take hold of our indigenous psyche?

Unfortunately, for the majority of Fijians we have not awakened from the infused slumber of Sir Arthur Gordon's Doctrine of Fijian Supremacy. The doctrine was propagated to protect a colonial quasi-native way of life from European encroachment, poignantly manifested by the measles epidemic of 1875.

In the furtherance of the doctrine, Fiji was also designated a non-settler colony unlike Australia, New Zealand or New Caledonia.

It necessitated an imported labour supply, giving rise to the girmitya. The doctrine was used to justify the 1970 Constitution and shore up the rule of the post-independence supremacist Alliance Party.

The same doctrine gave convenience to the coups of 1987 and the ensuing 1991 Constitution. The 2000 coup, replete with indigenous affirmative action policies and now the Unity Bill, is the tacit expression of the doctrine nowadays.

The doctrine spawned and reinforced the political legitimacy of the Alliance, SVT and SDL parties as being the sole repository of indigenous Fijian political authority and acme.

The efficacy of the doctrine was first shattered when, ironically, 20 per cent of Fijians voted for Butadroka's Nationalist Party in the 1977 election. The rest is history, as they say.

The supremacy doctrine has outlived its colonial utility while holding hostage our democratic destiny and sovereign rights as a nation.

Basically, it seems that indigenous Fijians are inherently hard-wired for political failure unless we change our attitude and rid ourselves of this retrogressive doctrine.

Jone B. Raiova
Lami

Sunday Sports World

ON Sunday (02 July) I eagerly awaited for the Sports World segment hoping that Fiji One would televise some highlights of the World Junior Table Tennis Tournament and some highlights of the Wimbledon Tournament that was being played last week. I waited and waited and watched rugby, rugby and more rugby. Iam a sports fanatic and a crazy rugby follower, like the rest of Fiji. However, there are other sports being played here in Fiji and abroad.

Last month in Berlin, Germany the Beach Volleyball World Championships was being played. Beach Volleyball is an exciting upcoming sport in Fiji. It would have been great if the players were able to watch the level of competition displayed at that level. The Tour de France have just been won by Lance Armstrong and people worldwide witnessed Venus Williams comeback in the women's final beating Lindsay Davenport. And of c ourse Roger Federer and Andy Roddcik entertaining final.

Can Mr Ken Clark, and his head of programs and sports editor inform the public why none of this was being broadcast on Fiji One? Even if there was no footage, they could have at least advise the public on the development of these various sports. Have they ever thought of rescheduling their sports news in the evening news segment to be aired only on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays? At least that's what used to happen in the good old days with Charlie Charters. When he presented it he was enthusiastic and had a well diverse sports news to report.

I would love to hear from Mr Clark on the selective process on the sports channel. At least I will not have house guests kick up a joke about :Fiji Time" on our sports channel. To Shreedhara (FT/Thursday 07th)) I tell you what it is much better if you stay up a little but late and watch the sports segment on ABC Asia Pacific. It is varied, diverse and very informative and you will not regret it.

Kini Saukuru
Mamanuca Group

Muddy streams of cronyism in Fiji.

Qarase is precise in this statement. Bill will surely end all of his political aspirations, once and for all. Good riddance too!

Skill is top priority in Fiji. Especially after the waves of skill migration after 2000 calamity.

Farmers in Fiji are far from receiving top notch advice. Agricultural Technical officers should be continously evaluated, to propel the industry in Fiji. It is a pity that only senior officials are sent overseas, as opposed to the working individuals further down the chain of command, who need to keep abreast of technological advances.

This cohesive vision for Fiji will not be eventuate any time soon if the S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition stays in power. Time for change, inject new blood into Fiji's power seats that has been plagued by corruption, arrogance and complacency.

That is why there has been so many bad apples in Fiji's public service commission.

Fiji Electricity Authority should not get ahead of itself, since it is operating in a vacuum of ignorance.
They will be paying the price in maitaining the wind farm.
Why not deregulate the entire electrical grid in Fiji, as well as the Phone and Television services.

Selected F.T Letters to the Editor-Saturday July 9th 2005.

Unjust Bill

I HAVE kept silent about the proposed Unity Bill because I wanted to study it before voicing an opinion on it.

Having been a direct recipient of violence and robbery from men calling themselves political reformers back in 2000, I am one of the people whom the Government might have been diligent enough to ask about the Bill and its effects before attempting to cram it down my throat.

After reading what has been made available to the general public, I am astonished that any right thinking government would dare to propose such a blatantly unjust piece of legislation to its people.

Taking into account that Qoriniasi Bale has stated that changes may be made, this Bill is still, at the least, a slap in the face of those of us who suffered at the hands of criminals who claim their actions were motivated by political fervour, and who have refused to make appropriate apologies and restitution.

The tremendously offensive and illegal behaviour of those who took hostages was the tip of the iceberg.

There are countless families of many different racial backgrounds who are still waiting for justice regarding the invasions, terror and illegal entries perpetrated by criminals calling themselves political activists.

In Cakaudrove, the group of armed men from Dromuninuku Settlement, who stormed our little house claiming it for "the vanua" were finally arrested a few weeks ago, and when they appeared in court, had found themselves a lawyer who is openly encouraging them to stall and delay the court proceedings by pleading not guilty until the Bill is passed.

To those government front-men and women who are playing the Christianity card, I say, put your cocktail glasses down and pick up your Bibles. The Word of God is clear on the matter of forgiveness, just as it is on the matters of repentance and restitution.

Having been terrorised to the point of leaving our precious home to the weeds and vanilla farms surrounding it, my family says to the SDL that if you had chosen to introduce a Repentance and Restitution Bill requiring men and women involved in the criminal activities of 2000 to perform individual matanigasau and to offer restitution for the damage done to our government offices, shops, farms, gardens and homes, we would wholeheartedly support it.

But as long as criminals roam free, continuing to trespass illegally on our land, refusing to perform the basic Fijian apologies, refusing to accept responsibility for their illegal actions and thereby encouraging the next generation to take the law into their own hands whenever they have a bone to pick, we will purposefully and with all effort work to derail any legislation which could even remotely be construed by these men and future generations to condone anarchy.

It is election time in Fiji. We may not be able to stop the SDL government from rushing this piece of legislation through.

But we can vote them out of office and elect just, honourable men and women who walk the walk of racial equality and justice for all and who give equal importance to repentance and restitution as they do to amnesty and forgiving and forgetting.

Summer Kabakoro

Sowing disunity

IT is ironic that the Bill deemed to create unity is creating disunity.

The lobbying groups, NGOs and those opposed to the Bill must take their messages to the villages and settlements so that ordinary people will get both sides of the story and make informed choices.

There is widespread opposition in towns and urban centres while provincial councils are in favour of it. Something is amiss.

Is everyone getting both sides of the story or is the information being engineered to suit an agenda. Unity and a peaceful co-existence must be the paramount aim of any leadership in a multi-cultural society. If this is not happening, then something's amiss.

In all honesty, I have not read the Bill but I rely on learned man like Graham Leung of the Fiji Law Society to provide me with a lawyer's perspective on the Bill.

I rate him as a highly ethical and learned man, and his explanations have convinced me.

Now, I am pursuing the explanations that others are providing at provincial councils and rural settlements. However, one thing is clear — for the sake of unity, disunity is being sown.

Basilio Vanuaca
Suva

Playing God

MUCH has been said about the proposed Unity Bill and in relation to Christian principles.

As a Christian and a youth, I am baffled by the following issues. Doesn't reconciliation occur when the offenders ask for forgiveness from the victims who, if willing, forgive and then reconcile?

Why is there need for a legislation to facilitate this when it is a matter of the heart and individual spiritual understanding?

Wouldn't it be a farce to enforce forgiveness through legislation. Won't the victims be made to forgive obligatorily and won't the offenders repent obligatorily as well?

Will this be genuine reconciliation? Shouldn't God and the victims be the one to forgive?

Isn't it presumptous to allow a commission to recommend to the President to forgive an offender.

If the convicts of the 2000 coup are given amnesty and released after committing a politically motivated crime, why not release other criminals like robbers and murderers?

Isn't the Bill creating greater division among the people instead of uniting them?

Edwin Singh
Wainbuka

Creeks of Muddy Rhetoric.

This type of interference in the Fiji Police Force by the Minister of Home Affairs is a thorn in the side of democracy and transparency.

The sentiments of Fiji's Vice President rings of a visionary statesman that has been absent in Fiji's seat of power. It is surprising that comments like this has not been advocated by any other Fijian chief or the ancient orders of G.C.C or N.L.T.B and F.A.B.
Their arrogance and being out of touch with rural dwellers is the Archilles heel of Fijians. That is the credibility gap that has been the status quo in Fiji, that few want to change.

Mud flies from S.D.L/C.A.M.V coalition.

It has been abundantly apparent that most of Fiji's chiefs support the R.T.U Bill. That does not constitute the nation of Fiji.

Qarase continues to dangle his bait to the uneducated people in rural Fiji.

Fijian landowners have not received ther dues from the N.L.T.B since it's inception in 1940.

Letters to the Editor of F.T July 7th 2005.

Public opinion

ACCORDING to Sir Geoffrey Palmer, a former New Zealand Prime Minister who holds a Doctorate of Law degree, the Government's proposed Promotion of Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill is an affront to human rights, the rule of law and judical independence.

It is also unconstitutional (ST 3/7).

Attorney-General Qoriniasi Bale said Sir Geoffrey was entitled to his opinion (ST 3/7).

As an ordinary citizen, can I ask the learned A-G whether Sir Geoffrey is qualified to give an opinion on this Bill and whether it is okay for ordinary citizens like me to be guided by it to form our own opinions on the Bill?

Rajend Naidu
Nasinu

Christian principles

RECONCILIATION, tolerance and unity are in line with what Jesus says in the Bible and Christians are commanded to forgive those who do you wrong otherwise God cannot forgive us our sins.

The Lord's prayer says "... forgive us as we forgive those who sin again us." I believe this is good for our nation. But there's only one problem and it includes those involved in the coup.

The Government wants to pass a Bill giving amnesty to people who have not admitted that the coup was wrong. In fact, a news report on a group of coup plotters being released from Nukulau after serving time quoted one individual as saying "I have no regrets. I did it for the vanua".

Another thing is that the amnesty conveniently comes into force before the next election. Imagine plotters analy-sing where they went wrong and refining Plan B.

We are told that releases from prison are not automatic but will be considered case by case.

Reassuring, but not totally convincing when coming from the authorities who use the "revolving door" policy reserved for prominent colleagues who conveniently become sick shortly after conviction.

It's good to quote Christian principles to influence situations.

But what type of Christians are we listening to those like Judas who walked with Jesus, heard His sermons and saw the miracles but whose agenda involved money - or those like Saul who thought he was doing good until God showed him it was evil and he completely repented and changed not only his actions but also his name.

We Christians all need to examine ourselves, especially our leaders and preachers. God has a destiny for our nation and people. I have heard it professed that we are to be the head and not the tail.

We can't do that unless we first repent and turn from our wicked ways and pray, worshipping God in spirit and in truth. We all need to pray for leaders of integrity.

May God bless and prosper our beautiful nation and people, and may we always aspire to be what the late Pope said we could be — "The way the world should be".

John Robinson
Lami

Parliament House

THE Parliament House of Fiji is only about 10 years old but is requiring thousands of dollars for major repair work.

There are so many wooden houses or buildings in Fiji over 50 years old needing hardly any maintenance except for a new coat of paint.

This shows that the craftsmanship applied in building our Parliament House has been of poor standard. Someone should be responsible for the loss, charged and made to pay compensation.

Ishwari Prasad
Suva

Amnesty clause

SIR Geoffrey Palmer of New Zealand (ST 3/7) finds it difficult to understand what this Unity Bill is trying to achieve and the measures that will be taken to implement the amnesty provisions.

This Bill is a process which the Government believes will make Fiji a better place.

Sir Geoffrey should know better. He was the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand under the Labour Government in 1986 when the New Zealand Government decided to grant amnesty to overstayers and illegal immigrants.

Can you imagine those illegal immigrants being granted amnesty?

Those of us who were there illegally were lucky enough to have our status changed and become responsible New Zealand residents and citizens.

I want to ask Sir Geoffrey and Jone Dakuvula of the Citizens Constitutional Forum, who was a student at a Wellington University, what the difference is between an illegal immigrant being offered amnesty to live in New Zealand and a person who overthrew an elected government in Fiji applying for amnesty under the Unity Bill?

Their crimes are similar in nature. Again in January 1987 New Zealand offered free visas to Fiji citizens travelling to New Zealand.

Most of these people are still there today and are expressing their disapproval of the amnesty provision in the Bill, something they themselves took advantage of in New Zealand.

Aisake Delai
Nasinu

Clearly Aisake Deali is speaking without a mandate. The same label, he applies to all
opposers to the R.T.U Bill. He is nothing more than a naive and uneducated fool, a yes-man deluxe! Shut up Aisake, you don't speak for all Fijians.

Fijian interest

SO much hue and cry has resulted from the Unity Bill that has been dominating the public debate forum for the past two months.

I support the Bill. There is only one question I would like to pose to those who oppose it, particularly those who argue that the amnesty clause will lead the country to more coups.

Who can give us a guarantee that there will be no more coups in Fiji if the Bill is withdrawn? Bill or no Bill, the Fijian people will never rest until they are guaranteed that the destiny of their native homeland is vested permanently in their hands.

Esira Drakanibici
Labasa

Reflections from the muddy creeks of Fiji Politics.

About time the same standards be applied to every incumbent at every level in corporations in Fiji.
That is the reason why state assets are poorly managed.

What happens in private sector companies are a reflection in the affairs in local and central government.

Fiji Sun Political Editor dissects the amnesty legal framework as proposed by R.T.U Bill.

Fiji's corrupt Attorney General is running out of words to sell this Bill to Fiji citizens. The simple solution offered by Fiji Times Editorial of Wed July 6th 2005 is not an option for him because of Q.B's hidden agenda.

Letter to the Editor F.T Weds July 6th, 2005.

Blowing in the wind

DUBIOUS indicators are emerging as we observe the Attorney-General, Qoriniasi Bale's whirlwind trip around the province to explain the Promotion of Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill 2005.

First, the people attending the briefings are chiefs. Where are the people?

If it's a case of the chiefs deciding for the people what is to be their stand on the Bill, then that cannot be regarded as a democratic process of consulting the individual voters and citizens.

Secondly, there is division reported within the provincial meetings themselves. For example, if the Kadavu Provicial Council has decided to support the Bill, then surely their appointed senator, Jim Ah Koy, is not one of them.

The Senator has cursed the Bill as a device designed in hell. Thirdly, note in the Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Council (FT 30/6) Mr Bale sounded a note of defiance against the views of the international community against the Bill.

American ambassador David Lyon and New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff have expressed grave concern. The International Trade Union has opposed it.

Members of the Diplomatic Corp who seem not to have spoken openly are not actually neutral either, instead these envoys are equally concerned and quietly observing the situation and having spoken to some of them both here and abroad in Europe in the past few weeks, I know they have voiced concern about how this Bill will effect the rule of law and anxious at the extent to which a Prime Minister would so persist in his own folly to pass a Bill so strongly opposed by credible groups and informed citizens in Fiji society.

The European Union, according to Article 11 of the Cotonou Agreement, will not tolerate any violation of human rights and any breach of the rule of law per Fiji Constitution.

Fourthly, Mr Bale at tax payers expenses is seen as one-sided. He is visiting mainly ethnic Fijians thus drumming support for the Bill among Fijians only — the use of the race card all over again.

Finally, an unelected politician as he is, Mr Bale is spending a disproportionate amount of his time away from his office when he should be speeding up the process of implementation of priority Bills as required and seen as priority within the Constitution.

These are the Freedom of Information and the Code of Conduct Bills.

Having these Bills turned into law will encourage citizens to be more informed and be effective whistleblowers and also result in raising ethical standards in government and private sector which are being abused.

These Bills would in turn promote reconciliation, tolerance and unity. Having refused to implement the multi-party provision in the Constitution, the SDL Government has rendered itself unfit to be an instrument of reconciliation.

As the song writer of the swinging Sixties reminded us "The answer my friends is blowing in the wind".

Reverend Akuila D Yabaki
CCF Executive Director

Amnesty Bill

THE SDL government's Amnesty Bill, if passed, will become a double-edged sword capable of cutting on both sides.

This Bill may look like the right thing for this government now but the passing of it will make this government vulnerable, just as previous governments were, to coups and violent and unlawful acts.

Tides change, voters change and political bed-mates and coalitions change. Political power or support is never constant. History, even the history of Fiji, has proven this.

How would the architects of this Amnesty Bill feel if some power hungry lunatic, encouraged by the amnesty clause, perpetrated violent political acts against the same government that passed this Bill?

Would the army, police, the Great Council of Chiefs, the President and judiciary not be obliged to obey and respect this law?

This kind of Bill would not even reach the House of Parliament of any peaceful country on earth.

Rajit Singh
Suva


Taxi permits

I REFER to the article (FT 1/7) which carried criticism of the Fiji Taxi Union by the Lautoka Taxi Union branch secretary Davendra Mudaliar.

Firstly, Mr Mudaliar is not aware of the negative effect it will have on current holders of taxi permits if a freeze on the issuance of taxi permits is not put in place.

Instead of liaising with the Land Transport Authority, the police and the Lautoka City Council to combat all illegal operations in the city, Mr Mudaliar has criticised the Taxi Union.

He has failed to realise how issuing 200 new taxi permits will affect the income and day-to-day operations of taxi companies and licence holders.

I invite Mr Mudaliar to visit Suva's Robertson Road and see how many Lautoka-based taxis are operating Lautoka/Suva return trips on a daily basis and taking away others' share of the cake.

What will happen with 200 more new taxi permits?

As the parent body, the Fiji Taxi Union always does feasibility studies first before any press statements in the interest of all taxi operators in Fiji.

Rishi Ram
General Secretary Fiji Taxi Union

Mudflow in Fiji Bureacracies.

Developers should at least act prudent and sensitive and get the legality in native lands sorted out first.

Fiji Chief Justice cries for independent judiciary in Fiji. Easier said then done.

It is simply hard to enforce rules and laws in Fiji.

Fiji Law Society is just giving the Fiji public a litany of poor excuses.

This is the trouble with Lawyers. They know exactly what is wrong with the legal system, but feel the need to present their case in gross incompetance of the system before even getting the solutions to improve it, done.

To prevent the perception of being a 'toothless tiger' Fiji Law Society are now embracing the role of Public defender only after numerous overseas Law Societies were vocal on this R.T.U Bill, which previously was hesitant to advocate. It's called 'jumping on the band wagon'.

Affirmative Action programs is another rhetoricof lip service for political agendas. S.D.L party director Jale Baba, continue to stoke the flames of nationalism in Fiji. Selectively ommiting the corruption in
archaic institutions ( N.L.T.B and G.C.C) that have aided in the insecurities of ethnic Fijians in addition to the digital divide.

Fiji Times Editorial is getting to the point!

Mud Crackers.

Fiji's Vice President lays a clear direction of things to come. I echo his sentiments of this change in attitude which the Fiji Government is not addressing. Probably accounting for the high statistics of ethnic Fijians in prison.

V.P takes an intellectual evaluation on Fijian Political domination.

The National Federation Party's petition on the R.T.U Bill is a good gauge of the public sentiment in Fiji.

This view from the Fiji Times Editorial is a reflection of the lack of creativity and insults the Fiji public's intelligence on other alternatives. I think the G.C.C. should first cure the ills of the archiac Fijian administration system which has been recommended by a consultant. This consultant of excellent repute was not allowed to present her views to the G.C.C, due to her ethinicity is an example of their backwardness.

Muddy tracks from the George Speight's Out-house.

The truth about Fiji Water.
Maintaining the network of pipe is costing big bucks for Fiji.

The endless cycle of poverty will continue in Fiji, despite the Protest march organized.

Aussies are setting up an I.T system for financial reporting. This I.T system would be more effective if are other protections are in place. Like a Freedom of Information Bill or Whistleblower Laws to completely rid Fiji of Corruption. The point of contention is, that the individuals within the Finance department are also the weakest link.

Fiji Military Commander claims that this Reconciliation Bill has an objective of ethnic cleansing in Fiji. More Union strikes in Fiji planned.

The call by Fiji Chamber of Commerce President, Taito Waradi to improve employment conditions in Fiji is breath of fresh airthat seems to be glossed over by numerous Fiji Governments. It's all about Filter-down economics, that many Fijians just can afford to wait for.

Apologies from George Speight's brother will not undo the damage to the nation of Fiji. I find that apology totally unsatisfactory and makes a mockery of the entire process and ridicules all Fiji citizens who were affected by this calamity in 2000.

Rivers of Mud from Qoroniasi's mouth.

The Fiji Military is ignoring the pressure to stop their public relations campaign in Fiji's rural areas. Great Council of Chiefs doesn't know whether it is coming or going.

Fiji needs creative minds like this to infuse into its ranks, the ability to think outside the box.

Unfortunately Fiji's horizons look bleak when one takes into account, how Laws
are made and enforced in Fiji. Qoroniasi Bale is definately peeved at Fiji Military Commander, Bainimarama for thumbing his nose at Qarase's Government.

Another behemoth is created when Fiji Inland Revenue and Customs Authority takes over the reigns of Immigration Department.

S.D.L party spokesman is defending the Bill by offering scapegoats as usual. Predictable billigerance from S.D.L.

Fiji Times the nation's oldest newspaper has it's credibity tarnished by High-school pranks. Two offences of plagarism is embarrassing for the 'First newspaper published in the world today'.

Fijian Landowners are not settling for trinkets by N.L.T.B anymore. As it should be.

What is going in Parliamentry chambers. Mary Chapman needs to go. The thievery within the complex
is a sad reflection of her incompetance. First the over budget, then this.

The Native Lands Trust Board are dangling a lousy carrot, just in time for the 2006 elections.
Things look very suspect when Qoroniasi is around. I consider this another Vote-buying Government programs to improve their standing which according to Tebbutt Polls, Qarase is in the dumps.

Turtle Island owner voices his opinion on the proposed Fisheries Bill. This Bill will sure unravel
more drama as individuals and mataqali members jockey for position. The idea to have N.L.T.B involved is in an indication of their intent to control Fiji's maritime assets as well.

Fiji Sports is finally getting onside with international training regimes, by establishing
a new academy in Nadi for Olympic athletes.

Letters to the Editor in F.T Friday's July 1st 2005.

Allowance in Iraq

BEFORE we left for the mission on May 15 2005, there was an assurance by the Minister for Home Affairs that the allowance for soldiers in Iraq would be increased from $65 to $150 a day.

Your article (FT 12/5) was based on a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The outgoing commander, Colonel Meli Saubulinayau, had made it clear in an interview in your newspaper the kind of life and the dangers soldiers face in Iraq.

He commented on the allowance and we believe it is all the evidence the Government needs to increase the allowance. It is now three months and nothing has happened. I beg the minister to be careful in dealing with sensitive issues such as that.

Soldiers have suffered much while serving with UNIFIL from 1978 to 2002 in terms of allowance and pay. We should no longer be regarded as the sotia ni vanua (soldiers of the land). We have sacrificed much since World War I.

Enough is enough. We are humans like everyone else. The Bible says: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's." The election is around the corner and our tick will count.

Maikeli Tuibeqa
Baghdad


Free chicken

I AGREE with Rajend Naidu (FT 28/6) that the culture of doing business in Fiji has long been one done by donation of chicken and ducks to officials.

I remember in the mid-80s it took a bottle of whiskey to have a prisoner released from jail the day after he was sent in for nine months for a charge of larceny by a servant.

As a kid growing up in downtown Suva in the late 50s and 60s, I've seen many Customs officers sipping whiskey in the backrooms of shops. Now, I hear a kilo of kava is enough to get a favour done.

Bharat Jamnadas
Auckland

Nobel prize

I AM surprised Adi Asenaca Caucau or Mere Samisoni were not nominated for the Nobel Prize. I suppose their names are being held back for the Woman of the Year.
Winning both titles would smack of favouritism. But let's admit it, these women deserve both titles.

Mahen Prasad
Sydney


Good reading

I refer to Losana Tunabuna's comments (FT 21/6). The article certainly makes good reading and was timely.

However, I differ with her comments regarding the army commander.
There is nothing wrong with the Commander's language in both print and visual media.
He is a man of dignity with the nation's security and well-being at heart.

It is the Commander's moral obligation to comment on issues of national security, if and when the need arises. He is in charge of the armed forces and it is imperative he voices his concern in a manner he chooses to so that the message gets through to all stakeholders.

It was he and the military who steered the security situation back to normal after the mayhem in 2000. Surely, he and all right-thinking citizens do not want to go through the same despicable events of 2000 again?

I say to Ms Tunabuna that we all love our beloved Fiji and would like to live here freely. So does the army commander. That's why, as chief of the security forces, he has to uphold the rule of law and avert any dubious legislation that just might make us a terrorist's paradise.

James Pillay
Nasinu

Indian takeover

The argument that Indians will take over Fijian land has often been used and abused by politicians and columnists.

We will hear more of it before the next election.

Can someone give us statistics on how much Fijian land has been illegally taken over by Indians and how much was taken by the white settlers?
While at it, could they provide figures on how many Fijian homes have been broken into and burgled by Indians?

How many Fijians have been murdered by Indians in their homes (robbery gone wrong)?

How many Fijian women and men have been robbed by Indians in daylight on our streets?

How many Fijian families have been evicted by Indians from their homes?

Maybe Caz Tebutt and John Fraenkel, with the help of police, the Bureau of Statistics and the Native Land Trust Board could provide us answers.

Vijay Madhavan
Suva


Trains of thoughts

THE letter from Mere Samisoni that appeared in FT June 25 edition, warrants a reply.

Mere Samisoni's harangue on how Fiji needs civil societies is a wonderful example of misguided trains of thoughts; which is far removed from the best interests of Fiji and her people.

Secondly, I would like to also point out the role of the Fijian mataqali members have been usurped by colonial era institutions. These organisations have perpetually adopted this primogeniture benefiting only, themselves. I would like to share these inspirational words with your readers that may apply to the junction of democracy, which the nation of Fiji approaches.

Written by Thomas Paine, English-born American in the article called The Crisis published in December 23rd 1776. "...These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated..."

Reginald M. Lutu
Sacramento

Fiji Water

OUT of curiosity, I am inquisitive to know the following:

What's the volume of Fiji Water that's exported?

How much foreign exchange does it earn?

How much of it comes back into the nation?

How much is retained in the offshore accounts?

It is a fact that no tax is paid on water exported. Have we left our taps leaking while we seek donations from China and Japan?

David C. NAIDU
Labasa