Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SUVA519
2006-11-27 23:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Suva
Cable title:  

FIJI UPDATE 11/28: QARASE-BAINIMARAMA IN NZ; AMB

Tags:  PREL MARR PGOV ASEC CASC FJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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OO RUEHPB
DE RUEHSV #0519/01 3312341
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 272341Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3481
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 1398
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY PRIORITY 0991
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 1179
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0273
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SUVA 000519 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV ASEC CASC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 11/28: QARASE-BAINIMARAMA IN NZ; AMB
MEETING WITH RFMF SPURS FIERCE REACTION; UN THREATENS FIJI
PKO PARTICIPATION

REF: A. SUVA 518


B. DINGER-DAVIES/MCGANN E-MAIL OF 11/28

C. STATE 190257

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

Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SUVA 000519

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV ASEC CASC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 11/28: QARASE-BAINIMARAMA IN NZ; AMB
MEETING WITH RFMF SPURS FIERCE REACTION; UN THREATENS FIJI
PKO PARTICIPATION

REF: A. SUVA 518


B. DINGER-DAVIES/MCGANN E-MAIL OF 11/28

C. STATE 190257

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

Summary
--------------

1. (C) Fiji PM Qarase and RFMF Commander Bainimarama have
agreed to meet in New Zealand 11/29 under an agreement
brokered by NZ FM Peters. The Ambassador and other diplomats
had a useful, scheduled meeting with RFMF leaders in Suva.
However, Bainimarama later reacted angrily, and the RFMF
issued a scathing media release, to which the diplomats
responded factually. Meanwhile, PM Qarase has invoked the
Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Biketawa process. PIF Foreign
Ministers are to meet in Sydney on Friday. According to
media, UNSYG Annan has warned that a coup will result in the
UN terminating all Fiji UN PKO operations. That presumably
would include with UNAMI in Iraq. End summary.

Qarase/Bainimarama to meet in NZ; Hughes threatened
-------------- --------------

2. (C) Per ref B, Fiji Police Commissioner Hughes informed us
early on 11/28 that PM Qarase is traveling to New Zealand
today on a NZ Air Force plane for a meeting with Bainimarama
tomorrow. This apparently was brokered by NZ FM Peters in
his 11/27 meeting with Bainimarama. Hughes told us the
must-have RFMF demands are now down to three: firing Hughes;
the controversial bills; and one other that he couldn't
recall. The Aussie High Commissioner heard there are
actually two more issues: disbanding the Police Tactical
Response Unit and wiping the slate clean on criminal charges
against the RFMF leadership. With the meeting, Bainimarama
has postponed his return to Fiji until Wednesday or Thursday.
Hughes and his family have received credible threats,
reportedly from the RFMF. The family returned to Australia
today. Hughes is taking some evasive actions but remains on
the job.

RFMF leaders explain their concerns
--------------


3. (C) As forecast Ref A, the Ambassador joined his
colleagues from the UK and Australia in a meeting on 11/28
with Acting RFMF Commander Teleni and Land Forces Commander
Driti. Each diplomat went through the talking points
provided by governments. We drew from Ref C. Teleni and
Driti then engaged in a heart-to-heart talk, attempting to
explain what has been motivating the RFMF. They described a
Fiji Government that has been publicly exuding cooperation
but privately not agreeing to meetings. They suggested that
last May's elections were so faulty as to be illegitimate.
They alleged extensive corruption and, at Bainimarama's
urging, asked why foreign governments only criticize the RFMF
but not the Government. They described their desire to
protect the Fiji-Indian population from being discriminated
against by the ethnic-Fijian majority. Driti clearly took
the harder, Bainimarama-like line on the RFMF's expansive
role. Teleni seemed more amenable to considering "rule of
law" interests.

Diplomats raise concerns, note coup costs
--------------

4. (C) All three diplomats discussed the importance of the
military taking its proper role in a democracy and the
importance of allowing civil institutions such as review
boards, auditors, and the judicial system to function and, as
necessary, be strengthened. They described talking with the
Government about needs for improved performance. They
reminded the RFMF leaders of the tragic consequences for Fiji
from past coups. They gave warning, with regret, of the
consequences to the RFMF of another coup, including
suspension of military programs. The Australian High
Commissioner noted the Aussie defense cooperation program
would cease, as would assistance for Fiji's Pacific patrol
boats and help for PKO deployments. She also mentioned
visas. Per Ref C, we raised U.S. military assistance and
visas.

Teleni notes police investigation trigger
--------------

5. (C) At one point Teleni mentioned his view of why
civil-military frictions erupted again two months ago after
being quiet since the May elections. He said, after the RFMF

SUVA 00000519 002 OF 003


had attempted to make peace, Home Affairs Minister Vosanibola
sent Bainimarama a letter in September signaling that the
Government intended to reinvigorate investigation of RFMF
criminal activities. Teleni and Driti said that sparked
Bainimarama's public outbursts just before he departed on a
trip to the Sinai.

Worrisome context re NZ dialogue
--------------

6. (C) Teleni noted that PM Qarase is traveling to New
Zealand to meet with Bainimarama and expressed hope that a
face to face dialogue might permit a welcome outcome. Driti
then suggested that, if Qarase accepts all the RFMF's current
demands, "there could then be a smooth transition...." He
did not elaborate on a transition to what.

Bainimarama bans Ambassador(s) from bases
--------------

7. (C) The entire meeting had a tone of collegial
seriousness, reflecting past friendly relations and concerns
about the present crisis that could dramatically alter
mil/mil relationships. However, not long after the meeting
concluded, Bainimarama phoned Embassy Suva's DATT from New
Zealand in an angry mood. He asked why the Ambassador
visited Queen Elizabeth Barracks (QEB). Brushing aside the
DATT's explanation, Bainimarama said the real motive was to
incite mutiny. He added, "From this point forward, I ban him
(the Ambassador) from going on any military installation."
The British DATT (resident in Wellington) received an
equivalent message re his boss here. Since Bainimarama was
already no longer talking with the Australian DATT, the
message for Australia is only presumed at this point.

RFMF media statement expresses outrage
--------------

8. (U) At mid-afternoon, the RFMF spokesman, Major Leweni,
issued the following media release:

Begin text: The RFMF confirms that the British, US, and
Australian Ambassadors visited QEB today and spoke with Capt.
Teleni and Commander Land Force Col. Driti. The RFMF views
the visit as one that is totally out of line and will not be
of any assistance to the current situation.

It was indeed inappropriate for a civilian diplomat to visit
a military camp and seek to speak directly to Officers. This
is an invasion in itself and could be termed as trying to
incite. As an Institution the RFMF is disappointed and would
like to make it known that it will not be insulted by such
visits.

Last but not least the recall of all Territorial and Reserve
soldiers is to prepare for any foreign intervention. The
RFMF is aware of a meeting in Australia where the Biketawa
Agreement will be on the agenda. We have indicated in the
past that the RFMF will strongly oppose any foreign
intervention and this recall is an indication of how serious
the Institution is and will prevent any such attempt. End
text.

Coordinated diplomatic media response
--------------

9. (C) The three diplomats coordinated a brief response,
issued 11/28 p.m. by the UK High Commissioner, who arranged
the meeting in the first place:

Begin substantive text: The UK High Commissioner sought a
meeting for himself and his Australian and United States
colleagues with the senior RFMF leadership in country. Land
Forces Commander Driti's office gave assent to the meeting,
which took place on Nov. 28, with Acting RFMF Commander
Teleni, Col. Driti, and the three diplomats participating.
The diplomats raised concerns about the current
civil-military crisis in Fiji, as instructed by their
governments. Contrary to the impression of an RFMF press
release, the subject of foreign military intervention never
was raised in the meeting. End text.

Biketawa process?
--------------

10. (U) Fiji PM Qarase has asked the Pacific Islands Forum to
convene a meeting of Foreign Ministers under the PIF Biketawa
Declaration. That meeting is to take place in Sydney on
Friday, Dec. 1.

SUVA 00000519 003 OF 003



UN threatens end of Fiji PKO
--------------

11. (U) According to PM Qarase on Fiji TV, UN Secretary
General Annan phoned him to say that, if the RFMF illegally
removes the Government, the UN will withdraw Fiji troops from
all UN peacekeeping operations. Presumably this would
include Fiji's participation with UNAMI in Iraq. Annan
reportedly is attempting to phone Bainimarama to make the
point directly. Qarase added that he has heard the UN PKO
office has already cautioned Bainimarama that a coup would
create a ban on Fiji participation in UN PKO in the future as
well. Note: Fiji has several hundred peace keepers in UN PKO
ops, generating millions of dollars per year in remittances
to soldiers' families. This threat will certainly grab the
RFMF's attention. End note.

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

11. (C) As the Embassy Suva DATT has pointed out, we don't
know what version of the QEB conversation today reached
Bainimarama. He is volatile in any case. Prior to the ban,
we had reiterated with Capt. Teleni our interest in meeting
directly with Bainimarama on his return to Fiji. The actual
conversation was certainly useful from our perspective in
that the RFMF interlocutors seemed to speak relatively openly
about what is motivating their boss and them. It also gave
the three diplomats an opening to make sure others than
Bainimarama within the RFMF hear Western views of why
outsiders are so concerned about the current crisis and what
the consequences are for Fiji, for the RFMF, and for
individual officers and their families if there is a coup.


12. (C) The Qarase-Bainimarama meeting for tomorrow in New
Zealand is an opportunity, in principle, though both leaders
would need to enter the arena with an open mind and with
willingness to consider ways out of the current crisis short
of a coup. Bainimarama's knee-jerk outrage about what was a
properly cleared meeting with the Acting RFMF leadership may
be instructive about the degree of confidence he has in his
troops. Nonetheless, Driti in particular, but also Teleni in
general, stuck pretty much to their Commander's line in the
meeting. The situation in Fiji remains dicey.
DINGER