Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SUVA109
2006-03-16 01:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Suva
Cable title:  

MILITARY INSERTS ITSELF INTO FIJI'S ELECTION

Tags:  PGOV PREL MARR PHUM FJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0343
RR RUEHPB
DE RUEHSV #0109/01 0750138
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 160138Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2975
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1168
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0963
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0789
RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SUVA 000109 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR PHUM FJ
SUBJECT: MILITARY INSERTS ITSELF INTO FIJI'S ELECTION
CAMPAIGN, LASHES OUT AT POLICE

REF: A. SUVA 072 AND PREVIOUS


B. SUVA 009

C. SUVA 098

Classified By: AMBASSADOR LARRY M. DINGER. SECTIONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SUVA 000109

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR PHUM FJ
SUBJECT: MILITARY INSERTS ITSELF INTO FIJI'S ELECTION
CAMPAIGN, LASHES OUT AT POLICE

REF: A. SUVA 072 AND PREVIOUS


B. SUVA 009

C. SUVA 098

Classified By: AMBASSADOR LARRY M. DINGER. SECTIONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (SBU) Summary: In the run-up to May's elections, the war
of words between the government and military in Fiji
continues to intensify. In radio and print interviews over
the past week, Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF)
Commander, Frank Bainimarama, issued a series of blasts
against the government, saying by merging with the
nationalist CAMV political party and continuing to advocate
"racist" policies, the ruling SDL "is continuing the same
(nationalist) lies" that led to the 2000 coup. Bainimarama
has ordered RFMF representatives to visit many of Fiji's
villages as part of a pre-election "truth campaign" aimed,
apparently, at discrediting the SDL. In a written statement
issued March 13, PM Qarase condemned Bainimarama's recent
statements as well as the RFMF "truth campaign" as
"interference in the government and political affairs of
Fiji" and as a threat to the conduct of free elections. On
March 14, the RFMF lashed out at Fiji's Commissioner of
Police, Australian Andrew Hughes, alleging that a recent
purchase of weapons by the police amounted to "deliberately
arming Fijians against Fijians." Most Fiji media have
reported both sides of this debate in a reasonably balanced
way. All three major newspapers have criticized Bainimarama
for improper military involvement in a civil election
campaign and/or his attack on the Police. End summary

Bainimarama Turns Up the Rhetoric
--------------


2. (SBU) While the RFMF has backed off its previous stance
that elections in Fiji must be delayed until a new census is
undertaken (ref A),it has apparently decided to play an
active role in the election campaign. In extensive radio and
print interviews during the past week, Commodore Bainimarama
unleashed another torrent of criticism against the
government. (Note: soon after the radio broadcast,
State-owned Fiji Broadcasting Limited fired the talk-show

host who interviewed Bainimarama, stating the host had
violated editorial policies in arranging and conducting the
interview.) Bainimarama told the Fiji Times newspaper on
March 13 that the ruling SDL's "continuous bowing to the
nationalist elements in its government...has brought us to
loggerheads." Bainimarama said the RFMF had assumed when it
put Qarase in power (in 2000, as interim PM),that Qarase and
the SDL would educate the people against the nationalist
elements that had led to the 2000 coup. "Instead, they have
done the opposite, continuing the lies that forced our rural
people from the villages into Parliament," (i.e. participated
in taking over Parliament in 2000).

Military Starts "Truth Campaign"
--------------


3. (SBU) Bainimarama announced March 10 that the RFMF would
launch a "truth campaign" through the media and visits to
villages. The campaign, he said, will target governmental
policies that contravene the constitution. RFMF Spokesman
Lt. Colonel Orisi Rabukawaqa later insisted the campaign
would not be targeted against the SDL per se, but would focus
on the need for good leadership and good governance. The
military wants to ensure, he continued, that the nationalist
events of 2000 are not repeated. Another military spokesman,
Captain Neumi Leweni, told us March 14 that the "truth
campaign" in villages is a continuation of an ongoing
military public relations effort to educate villagers on
democracy and the rule of law. He said several military
teams are already visiting villages and are counseling
prospective voters to "make a wise choice" in the elections.

A Broadside Against the Police
--------------


4. (SBU) On March 14, the RFMF released an unexpected
broadside against the Police, reprising a claim made earlier
this year (ref B) that the police were being improperly armed
by the government in order to counterbalance the military.
The RFMF press release claimed that, in acquiring these arms,
Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes "is impinging on the
sovereignty of this country by deliberately arming Fijians
against Fijians." The RFMF also alleged that Hughes (an
Australian) was taking part in an Australian-led effort to
shrink the size of Fiji's military. "The RFMF wishes to
state that Mr. Hughes is a silent extension of the Australian

SUVA 00000109 002 OF 003


Defence White Paper where it had recommended that the role of
the military in Fiji be siphoned off to the Police and that
its strength be reduced to 100 men for ceremonial purposes
only." The RFMF media release concluded that "the RFMF
wishes to advise the Commissioner of Police together with his
tactical response team that they are merely creating an
environment which if allowed to escalate will be 2nd November
2000 (the date of an attempted mutiny against the RFMF
leadership) all over again but in a much bigger scale."


5. (SBU) Comment: The reference to a "white paper"
apparently refers to a draft "Security and Defense Review"
conducted in Fiji in 2003-2004. According to contacts at the
Australian High Commission, the draft review was mainly
funded by the Government of Fiji, although Australia provided
and funded one of three panel members - the Chairperson. The
RFMF declined to participate in the review. Among other
recommendations, the draft called for decreasing the size of
the RFMF by about 20%. The draft did not suggest that the
RFMF should be made into a force only used for ceremonial
purposes. End Comment.


6. (SBU) Other events took place March 14-15 that may or
may not be related to the RFMF criticism of the police. On
the evening of March 14, the Police Tactical Response Team
(PTRT, the unit receiving much of the new equipment) received
an anonymous call warning that a move was about to be made
against the Team. On the morning of March 15, RFMF
operational forces staged an armed "stand to" readiness
drill, which caught Suva's attention. An RFMF spokesman said
the drill was routine, but observers wondered if it was also
a signal of RFMF resolve.


7. (C) Hughes, who has had a good working relationship with
Bainimarama, told reporters he was surprised by the content
and tone of the media release, and disappointed the RFMF had
taken the issue to the media instead of conferring with him.
The press release, he said, was factually incorrect. All of
the equipment ordered was standard for police department SWAT
teams throughout the world. Hughes held a press conference
March 15 in which he again reviewed the uses of the equipment
the police had purchased. "We are not arming Fijians against
Fijians but arming the police to deal with criminals."
Hughes told Embassy's Assistant Legatt on March 15 that the
RFMF has long known about the police equipment. In fact,
Bainimarama and other RFMF officers had been scheduled to
visit police headquarters to observe the PTRT and its new
equipment on March 10, but canceled at the last minute.
Hughes said he would be meeting Bainimarama to discuss the
RFMF statement on March 16.

Qarase Says Military's Actions are Undemocratic, Claims
Rival Political Parties are Urging the RFMF on
-------------- --------------


8. (SBU) A spokesman for PM Qarase's SDL party told
reporters on March 13 that the party had sent a letter of
complaint about Bainimarama's comments to the President,
Police Commissioner, Director of Public Prosecutions,
Attorney General and the Supervisor of Elections. The
spokesman alleged that Bainimarama's statements against the
government and the RFMF's "truth campaign" are a blatant
attempt to corrupt the electoral process. Fiji's Electoral
Commission also lodged a complaint with the police, stating
the RFMF had breached election laws and its actions
threatened free and fair elections. Media reports indicate
that PM Qarase met with Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi
March 14, in part to discuss the Commander's recent
statements. Fiji's National Security Council also met
several times in the last week.


9. (SBU) In a full page statement issued March 13 and
printed in all three major newspapers, PM Qarase called
Bainimarama's recent remarks "undemocratic and unwarranted."
"The Commander's stated intention of involving the military
in the national election campaign is a threat to peace and
stability, and the conduct of free elections." Qarase also
called the military's campaign an unauthorized and illegal
spending of public money. Qarase asserted that rival
political parties (read: Mahendra Chaudhry's FLP) are
encouraging Bainimarama's actions. "Political parties and
others who are encouraging the Commander are doing the
country and the people a great disservice.. .They are not
concerned about the future of democracy and the rule of law
in Fiji."

Media Criticize RFMF for Crossing the Line
--------------

SUVA 00000109 003 OF 003




10. (SBU) The continuing war of words between the
government and the RFMF has dominated headlines the past
week. Reporting has been relatively balanced, with the
statements of both government and the RFMF accurately
reported. Editorials and op-eds in all three major newspapers
criticized Bainimarama's campaign. The Fiji Sun (at times
critical of the current government) stated that "the military
cannot have a role in the 2006 election." "Even those who
agree with what the commander has to say feel aggrieved that
he has entered the political arena." The pro-government Fiji
Post demanded action to deal with "the recalcitrant,
irredeemable, backstabbing commander." After the RFMF's
attack on the police, the Fiji Times wrote that Bainimarama
"has now stepped beyond the limits of decency and
professionalism." "More and more people are beginning to
wonder if something is amiss up at Queen Elizabeth Barracks."


On Top of All This, A Serious Family Issue
--------------


11. (SBU) Meanwhile, media and police sources report that
Commodore Bainimarama has involved himself in an
indecent-assault trial in Nadi by confronting the accused and
ordering his armed body guards to position themselves
intimidatingly close in court. According to a reliable
source, the victim in the case is a close relative of the
Commander. The attorney for the accused has filed a
complaint against Bainimarama.

Comment
--------------


12. (C) Still more than seven weeks before the elections,
tensions are high in Fiji. Many people believe Bainimarama
has stepped beyond the reasonable bounds of the military's
role in a democratic process by his recent statements and the
RFMF's "truth" campaigning. The government and PM Qarase's
party have responded by calling on the newly reappointed
President to rein in the Commander. Whether the President
will make that attempt and how the RFMF would respond remain
uncertainties.

DINGER