FIJI UPDATE 11/9: BAINIMARAMA SKIPS GCC; QARASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000486

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC CASC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 11/9: BAINIMARAMA SKIPS GCC; QARASE
LAYS OUT HIS CASE; DELEGATION TO CAMP

REF: SUVA 483

Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D).

Summary
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1. (C) Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander
Bainimarama declined to attend Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs
(GCC) session on Nov. 9, claiming the chiefs' minds were
already made up. PM Qarase told the GCC he is ready to
discuss a list of issues the Army provided him yesterday. He
said the key, though, is the Army's role in governance.
Qarase elaborated on his views of three controversial bills,
which he said "will not be withdrawn" but which are open for
discussion and revision. Qarase said the current crisis
between two Fijian-led institutions merits GCC consideration.
In the p.m., the GCC decided to send a chiefly delegation to
attempt to meet with Bainimarama at the Army camp before a
second day of discussion takes place Friday. On the side,
Fiji's Cabinet on Tuesday considered several "good
governance" bills that have been long awaited; Australia
reiterated that its recently arrived contingent of troops is
not a mercenary force; and the Ministry of Home Affairs CEO
has been suspended, presumably for colluding with the
military. End summary.

Bainimarama: my way or the highway
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2. (C) RFMF Commander Bainimarama decided not to attend the
Great Council of Chiefs meeting on Nov. 9. He told the media
that his only interest in attending was if the GCC would
endorse his views; but he could see that the GCC was going to
take the Government's side. Asked if the GCC might be a
useful means for stimulating useful discussion on ways out of
Fiji's current crisis, Bainimarama, in effect, said: only if
they accept the Army's point of view.

Qarase: ready for talks
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3. (U) PM Qarase did attend the GCC meeting. In prepared
remarks, he noted that the Army delivered a document to him
Wednesday with a list of issues to be discussed. Qarase said
he is ready to engage in talks. He described the basic issue
as the Army's role in Fiji. That question has now been
referred to the Supreme Court. Qarase noted that the Army
has objected to three bills: the reconciliation (RTUB) bill;
the qoliqoli (foreshore rights) bill; and the Indigenous
Claims Tribunal (ICT) bill. Qarase said that Bainimarama,
shortly after appointing Qarase as interim PM in July 2000,
had endorsed all three bills in concept. On the RTUB, Qarase
recalled a healthy public debate that has led to a revised
bill, yet to be introduced, in which the amnesty clause is
"dropped."

Tells GCC all sides will have opportunity to debate bills
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4. (U) Qarase said the Qoliqoli and ICT bills, which have
been introduced, are important to the Fijian people, since
they will safeguard Fijian interests through Fijian
administrative mechanisms. He stressed that everyone accepts
the 1997 Constitution and its themes of good governance,
equality under the law, and a prohibition on discrimination
based on ethnicity. Yet, he said, the 1987 and 1999
elections (that brought ethnic-Indian-dominated parties to
power),were a "harsh reminder" that Fijian leadership is "no
longer guaranteed in a democracy." Fijian mechanisms that
protect Fijian rights are necessary. Thus, the qoliqoli and
ICT bills "will not be withdrawn." Still, he promised
extensive Parliamentary reviews, as took place with the RTUB,
taking into account the interests of the whole population.

Crisis is Fijian v. Fijian; need reconciliation for all
-------------- --------------

5. (U) Qarase concluded by observing that Fiji's current
crisis is between a Fijian-led government and a Fijian-led
army. Thus, the GCC is an appropriate forum for seeking wise
advice. He expressed hope leaders of Fiji can "find our way
to peace and reconciliation for all."

GCC delegation to Army Camp; meeting to resume tomorrow
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6. (U) In late afternoon, the GCC adjourned, with a second
session planned for Friday. In the meantime, a delegation of
chiefs from the Kubuna Confederacy, which claims the
allegiance of Bainimarama's clan, is to visit the Army camp
in an attempt to discuss the pending issues with Bainimarama
directly.


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Cabinet moves on "good governance" bills
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7. (C) Meanwhile, in a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7, the Fiji
Cabinet received and decided to circulate among stakeholders
a "Standards of Leadership Conduct" bill; approved in
principle a draft "Freedom of Information" bill; approved the
drafting of an "Anti-Corruption Commission" bill; and
approved the terms of reference for a mid-term in-depth
assessment of affirmative action programs, among other
decisions. Qarase had noted such "good governance" steps
were in the works, but they had not previously seen the light
of day. Some observers suggested the flurry of activity
proves Bainimarama's point: RFMF pressure brings results.

Aussies reiterate the facts
--------------

8. (U) After Bainimarama described a contingent of
recently-arrived Australian soldiers in Fiji as "mercenaries"
during a press event Wednesday (reftel),Australia's Chief of
Defense Force phoned the Commodore to confirm that Australian
Defense Force personnel had traveled to Fiji to assist the
Australian High Commission and to note that Australia had
already publicly acknowledged that to be the case. An Aussie
press release said that, at the conclusion of the
conversation, Bainimarama "acknowledged the facts as set out
above."

Home Affairs CEO suspended
--------------

9. (U) Fiji's Public Service Commission announced Nov. 9 that
it has suspended Home Affairs Ministry CEO Lesi Korovavala.
Lesi, a former RFMF officer, who for many months appeared to
be one of Bainimarama's main targets of complaint, allegedly
has visited the Army camp in recent weeks to collude with the
RFMF against the Government. We recall that after the May
elections, Lesi was one of those who reportedly broke into
tears during a reconciliation ceremony between the RFMF and
Home Affairs.

Comment
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10. (C) Qarase laid out his case to the GCC in a well-crafted
speech that accents his ethnic-Fijian, some would say
Fijian-nationalist, credentials, but also professes
acceptance of a broader national interest. That balancing
act is easier said than done. The assurance that qoliqoli
and ICT bills will get a full and fair hearing is useful, as
is the appearance of "good governance" issues before Cabinet.
It appears the GCC is going the extra mile with Bainimarama,
in an effort to play a role in the current crisis. The
Commodore's justification for stilting the GCC today
illustrates his dogmatic view that he has the
answers...period.
DINGER