Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SUVA527
2006-11-30 00:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Suva
Cable title:  

FIJI UPDATE 11/30: QARASE SAYS "GENERAL

Tags:  PREL MARR ASEC CASC FJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SUVA 000527 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC CASC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 11/30: QARASE SAYS "GENERAL
AGREEMENT;" BAINIMARAMA REITERATES CLEAN UP TO BEGIN

REF: SUVA 525

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 000527

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC CASC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 11/30: QARASE SAYS "GENERAL
AGREEMENT;" BAINIMARAMA REITERATES CLEAN UP TO BEGIN

REF: SUVA 525

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

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

1. (C) The RFMF spokesman described a tragic accident
yesterday in which a helo flying off an Australian ship
crashed in international waters south of Fiji as evidence
that a foreign invasion is in the works. (Three Aussie naval
ships are in the area for evacuation contingencies.) PM
Qarase addressed the nation and described a "general
agreement" on responses to the military's demands. Qarase
appears to have bent on many issues, but it also appears he
attempted to leave maneuvering room for the future. Qarase
expressed appreciation that the international community is
rallying around rule of law in Fiji. He said he is seeking a
second meeting, with NZ FM Peters moderating again.
Commodore Bainimarama responded harshly in early evening,
stating that the Qarase Government must capitulate by midday
Friday or face a "clean up" that Bainimarama predicted should
be a "peaceful transition." It sounds like the action date
is Monday, Dec. 4. A country-team/EAC meeting today
concluded that the USG is appropriately positioned regarding
its public announcement and contingency planning. End
summary.

Aussie helo crash; RFMF prepares for "invasion"
-------------- --

2. (C) The RFMF exercise in Suva from midnight to 3 a.m. on
11/30 apparently went without incident. The RFMF spokesman
insisted publicly that the effort was to prepare for an
expected foreign invasion. The spokesman pointed to
yesterday's tragic accident where an Australian military
helicopter crashed against an Australian naval ship in
international waters south of Fiji, resulting in one dead and
one missing, as evidence that the threat is real.

Qarase describes a general agreement
--------------

3. (U) PM Qarase briefed the nation on TV and radio at 4:30
p.m. about the results of his meeting with Bainimarama in
Wellington. He said the two had a direct engagement on the
issues in a cordial atmosphere, with the goal being a

"peaceful and legal settlement" of the military's demands.
It was the longest meeting they had ever had, at over two
hours, and it resulted in a "general agreement." Qarase
expressed profound appreciation to the GNZ and to God. He
said any concessions he made were all in conformance with the
laws of Fiji. On the issues, Qarase gave his views on all
demands:

-- the events of 2000: the two agreed on a public information
campaign to stress that the events of May and November 2000
were against the law. The Great Council of Chiefs is to
assist. The Government would welcome RFMF information on
names and evidence regarding those who committed crimes.

-- the controversial bills: the Government agreed to suspend
further action on all three bills, pending a detailed legal
evaluation of their constitutionality. New Zealand will
assist in that. If the current final drafts are
unconstitutional, the Government will withdraw them. If
there is no constitutional hindrance, there will be an
opportunity to consult and then perhaps continue the
legislative process.

-- criminal investigations of the military: Qarase stressed
that the independence of the police and DPP (public
prosecutor) must be shielded. The Government will accept
advice from both on whether prosecutions should proceed, and
both can factor in whether not proceeding would contribute to
the greater good. Asked if he was encouraging "no
prosecution" findings, Qarase reiterated that authority lies
with the DPP and police, and the Government will accept their
advice.

-- firing Police Commissioner Hughes: his contract is nearing
its end. As usual, there will be an evaluation of
performance, and the military will be able to comment before
a decision is made whether to offer renewal. Asked why
Hughes would be taking leave in Australia at a critical time,
Qarase said he supported the decision, as it was in the best
interest given the tense and difficult relations Hughes has
had with Bainimarama recently. (Note: some media are
reporting Hughes has resigned. Qarase gave no such

SUVA 00000527 002 OF 003


indication in his speech, and our police sources tell us that
is not the case, that Hughes intends to resume his job in a
month.)

-- disbanding the Police Tactical Response Unit: a review
would be conducted.

-- the Native Land Trust Board commercial arm: there will be
a review of the scope of the commercial arm. New Zealand has
offered to provide specialists to assist.

-- Government good-governance issues: the Government will
hasten a series of bills aimed to improve government
performance.

-- Military issues re allowances, etc: an independent
committee will be created to look into all issues and make
recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the
Public Services Commission.

International rallying
--------------

4. (U) On other issues, Qarase gave assurance that the Fiji
Government's only request to the Pacific Forum ministerial
meeting to be held in Sydney on Friday is for a declaration
of support for dialogue to reach resolution of the current
issues through legal and peaceful means. Fiji is making no
request for military intervention. Qarase then noted a
public statement from UNSYG Annan, and he read most of a
public statement by the UNSC President. He said the
international community is rallying around Fiji at a pivotal
moment.

Another meeting?
--------------

5. (U) Qarase said he is seeking another meeting with
Bainimarama and has asked NZ FM Peters to moderate again.
Qarase is deferring a PIF-related visit to the Solomon
Islands in order to be available. Qarase has written to
Bainimarama to state he would welcome a public statement from
the RFMF that it will agree to resolve any remaining issues
without use of force. Qarase said he had yet to receive a
reply. Qarase concluded that his goals are to solve Fiji's
problems honoring peace, rule of law, democracy, dialogue,
and consensus.

Bainimarama responds: all lies: clean up to begin
-------------- --------------

6. (U) At about 6:20 p.m., Bainimarama went on national radio
with a media conference in which he insisted that the
Wellington meeting was a failure and the PM was not
forthcoming. Qarase's statement today was "all lies."
Bainimarama never said yes to anything. Qarase's proposals
would keep the current impasse lingering into next year, but
Bainimarama wants to "fix the impasse straight away." He
said one can argue about democracy and rule of law "until the
cows come home;" but if the Government does not capitulate on
all demands by midday tomorrow (Friday),the RFMF will begin
its "clean up." He indicated the actual date would be a bit
later. We gather it is Monday, Dec. 4. Bainimarama said he
expects no opposition and the result will be a "peaceful
transition." He promised to provide security to all elements
in Fiji. He briefly mentioned an "interim government" and
seemed to indicate in answer to a question that there would
be no near-term election.

Challenges UN and Biketawa process
--------------

7. (U) Bainimarama also addressed the reported threat by
UNSYG Annan to cut Fiji off from UN peacekeeping, noting that
nothing of the sort happened in 1987 or 2000. He said there
is "no way" the RFMF would permit losing its PKO commitments
just because of political turmoil. He accused Qarase and his
team of pressuring the UN, but said the RFMF won't be
threatened. Bainimarama also mentioned tomorrow's Biketawa
meeting in Sydney, suggesting it is to approve a foreign
military intervention. He said if ever foreign troops cause
even a single RFMF soldier to die, he will hold Qarase,
Attorney General Bale, and PM CEO Kotabalavu responsible.

UNDP and coordinating security plans
--------------

8. (C) The UNDP rep for the Pacific hosted a meeting with
U.S., UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan reps in
early afternoon, primarily to discuss security coordination
issues. The group agreed to redouble efforts to make sure

SUVA 00000527 003 OF 003


contingency planning is being coordinated all around.

Missions' approaches
--------------

9. (C) Australia has now offered "voluntary departure" for
family members, but not for staff. The status allows return
anytime if the person is willing to pay. New Zealand still
has family members sited in Nadi, though staff have returned
to Suva. The GNZ offered family members a flight to
Wellington on the NZ Air Force plane that brought PM Qarase
back from his Wellington meeting. There were no takers. NZ
has not invoked authorized departure. Per ref, London
instructed the UK High Commission to offer voluntary
departure for non-essential staff and dependents. There were
no takers. The French and Japanese have not gone to a
departure status; however, those of Japan's JICA volunteers
who are ending their tours are congregating in Nadi. We held
a country team/EAC meeting this morning, before the speeches.
All agreed that the current U.S. public announcement remains
appropriate and that authorized departure is not appropriate,
as yet. We will meet again first thing in the morning.

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

10. (C) Qarase's depiction of a general agreement indicates
that he bent pretty far on most issues without overtly
capitulating. He left openings for achieving something akin
to his preferred outcomes on everything but the first item re
publicizing that 2000 was a crime. Bainimarama's extremely
negative statement seemed almost unrelated to Qarase's. The
Commodore was incoherent at times but certainly left the
strong impression that he intends to act within the next few
days, absent the Government's complete capitulation. He
expects no active opposition, thus his prediction of a
"peaceful transition." If indeed the clean up commences, we
know the Government, including the police, do not intend to
overtly challenge it, wanting to evade violence.
DINGER