Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06SUVA525 | 2006-11-28 23:04:00 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy Suva |
VZCZCXRO0913 OO RUEHPB DE RUEHSV #0525/01 3322304 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 282304Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY SUVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3489 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 1404 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY PRIORITY 0997 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 1185 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 02 SUVA 000525 |
1. (C/NF) Fiji hungers for details of what went on in the meeting between PM Qarase and RFMF Commander Bainimarama in Wellington. Tonight, the RFMF is conducting an exercise in the Suva area, preparing for the possibility of foreign military intervention. We issued a warden notice. President Iloilo may consider making a public statement on the crisis. Police Commissioner Hughes reportedly will be in Australia for the next month. The RFMF sent an emissary to the UK High Commissioner today to suggest the flap over yesterday's meeting with diplomats was mainly an RFMF-Australia issue. The emissary said UNSYG Annan's announcement of PKO repercussions if there is a coup caused "shock" within the RFMF. Some New Zealand diplomats returned to Suva, as London ordered its Suva mission to offer an "authorized departure" package, which nobody accepted. End summary. Qarase/Bainimarama Meet in NZ -------------------------- 2. (C) As noted ref A, NZ MFAT reports that the Qarase-Bainimarama meeting was "a considered and serious discussion" of the Commodore's demands. PM Qarase reportedly showed some flexibility but insisted throughout on due process, constitutionality, and the rule of law. Speaking to Fiji media, Qarase said that progress was made, and that further consultations are a possibility. Bainimarama did not speak to the media after the meeting. We gather NZ FM Peters in his press conference hinted at possibilities for further facilitation, a sense of possible progress, though without any of the details that would help one judge what is in the cards. RFMF to Conduct an Exercise Tonight in Suva -------------------------- 3. (C) Early this afternoon, after the meeting in Wellington concluded, the RFMF issued a press release stating that it would be conducting an exercise in the greater Suva area beginning at midnight tonight, November 29. The exercise, which will last three hours, "will entail securing strategic areas within the greater Suva area and also the firing of illumination rounds in the sea near Nukulau, Makuluva, and the entrance to Suva Harbor." The press release urges the public to exercise caution if near these areas, but not to be alarmed by troops in battle gear. The press release concludes that "the exercise is in anticipation of any foreign intervention and the RFMF is taking all precautionary measures." The Embassy issued a warden notice this afternoon advising all U.S. citizens to avoid the areas where the exercise will take place. EU Reps Call on President Iloilo -------------------------- 4. (C) The EU Representative in Fiji, the UK High Commissioner, and the French Ambassador called on President Iloilo yesterday, ostensibly to give him an EU statement on the situation in Fiji. During the meeting, they called on the President to make a public statement in favor of the constitution and the rule of law. Iloilo, who appeared alert and lucid, replied that a public statement might be appropriate, but that it would be necessary to wait for the outcome of the New Zealand meeting. He gave no indication what a public statement might say. Police happenings -------------------------- 5. (C) There are media reports that Police Commissioner Hughes, who was in Wellington with Qarase, plans to continue on to Australia for an already-scheduled month-long holiday. Hughes and his family received threats in recent days, reportedly originating from within the RFMF. The spouse and children departed for Australia two days ago. On the other hand, when we last spoke with Hughes yesterday, it was, in part, to finalize arrangements to assist him in transporting to Suva a guitar he has purchased in the U.S. Acting Police Commissioner Driver had a chat with emboff today and stressed he is intent on having the police carry out all their important functions, as usual. A different slant on RFMF-diplomats flap -------------------------- 6. (C/NF) Paul Manueli, a former RFMF Commander, former Home SUVA 00000525 002 OF 002 Affairs Minister, and sometime go-between for the military to government, called on the British High Commissioner this morning, at the request of Acting RFMF Commander Teleni and Land Forces Commander Driti. Manueli said the cause of yesterday's virulent RFMF response after a meeting between Western diplomats and RFMF leaders in Suva was the presence in the meeting of the Australian High Commissioner. That was like "a red rag to a bull." Manueli didn't even mention the presence of the U.S. Ambassador as an issue. The UK High Commissioner noted that Col. Driti's office had OKed the meeting and had known all three diplomats were attending. Manueli said yesterday's announcement by UNSYG Annan (Ref B) re the effect of a coup on UNPKO responsibilities "had been a shock" to the RFMF. Manueli said he is not confident a coup can be avoided. He said the RFMF's present obsession is that Australia will intervene militarily. Comings and goings -------------------------- 7. (C) We hear that several New Zealand diplomats returned to Suva today. Perhaps the threat to Kiwis is perceived a bit lower now that FM Peters brokered a conversation. On the other hand, London instructed the UK High Commission today to offer an "authorized departure" package to staff. None accepted it, thus seemingly accenting that this was a judgment from afar, though a few staff have departed on scheduled leave a few days earlier than originally planned. Comment -------------------------- 8. C/NF) Fiji awaits word of what, if anything, changed with the Wellington meeting. Many are pessimistic, and tonight's "exercise" will make people nervous. It is possible, though, that Kofi Annan's news re PKO, plus the firm messages, yet again, from the diplomats yesterday, might cause some serious rethinking of risks/rewards at lower levels of the RFMF. Manueli's suggestion that the Aussie diplomat was the red flag at yesterday's meeting illustrates the bad blood that continues between the RFMF and the Aussies. The Aussie diplomat was very measured in her remarks at the meeting, as always. Manueli's explanation also causes one to wonder about the irate phone calls Bainimarama made to the UK and U.S. DATTs afterward. Something doesn't compute. DINGER |