Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SUVA546
2006-12-06 17:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Suva
Cable title:
BAINIMARAMA'S COUP ATTEMPT IN FIJI: STILL NOT
how-toVZCZCXRO8446 OO RUEHPB DE RUEHSV #0546 3401709 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061709Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY SUVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3522 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0279 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 1429 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY PRIORITY 1022 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 1211 RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND PRIORITY 0239 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY PRIORITY 0644
C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000546
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC CASC KPAO FJ
SUBJECT: BAINIMARAMA'S COUP ATTEMPT IN FIJI: STILL NOT
RESOLVED
REF: SUVA 543 (AND PREVIOUS)
Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000546
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC CASC KPAO FJ
SUBJECT: BAINIMARAMA'S COUP ATTEMPT IN FIJI: STILL NOT
RESOLVED
REF: SUVA 543 (AND PREVIOUS)
Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D).
1. (C) We have seen press guidance and a discussion paper for
a sub-PCC that suggest Republic of Fiji Military Forces
(RFMF) Commander Bainimarama "has conclusively deposed the
lawfully elected government and conducted a coup." We do not
believe that statement is correct, as yet, and we have asked
PA to attempt to withdraw the press guidance for further
consideration. We are told Fiji did not arise in the Dec. 6
State Department press briefing.
2. (C) Per reftels, Bainimarama has certainly attempted to
depose the Qarase Government. No doubt about that. And the
military currently has control of the streets in Suva because
it has the firearms. On the other hand, per reftel, PM
Qarase has not resigned; President Iloilo has stated he
remains in office; and Bainimarama has admitted publicly that
he is meeting resistance from senior civil servants, from the
police, and from Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs. Our sources
confirm that to be the case (reftel). NGOs, churches, and
others are speaking publicly against Bainimarama's effort.
Qarase and his backers are certainly discussing "Fijian" ways
to convince the RFMF leadership to back down.
3. (C) With all that going on, we believe it wrong to state
definitively in public that Bainimarama has won the day. To
put the U.S. on record acknowledging Bainimarama has won
might encourage him and it could discourage those who
disagree with Bainimarama's actions, are working to frustrate
them, and are striving to re-solidify the lawful government
in Fiji. Note: Our understanding from our Aussie colleagues
in Suva is that FM Downer has stayed ambiguous, including by
saying publicly that Bainimarama "claims that he has
dismissed" the Government.
4. (C) All that said, we fully endorse the sub-PCC effort to
establish what the USG should do definitively if/when
Bainimarama does clearly consolidate control. We will
provide some comment on possibilities for that separately.
In the meantime, we believe the USG public message should
remain that Fiji is experiencing an attempted coup and the
USG has suspended our assistance to Fiji pending further
developments.
DINGER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC CASC KPAO FJ
SUBJECT: BAINIMARAMA'S COUP ATTEMPT IN FIJI: STILL NOT
RESOLVED
REF: SUVA 543 (AND PREVIOUS)
Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D).
1. (C) We have seen press guidance and a discussion paper for
a sub-PCC that suggest Republic of Fiji Military Forces
(RFMF) Commander Bainimarama "has conclusively deposed the
lawfully elected government and conducted a coup." We do not
believe that statement is correct, as yet, and we have asked
PA to attempt to withdraw the press guidance for further
consideration. We are told Fiji did not arise in the Dec. 6
State Department press briefing.
2. (C) Per reftels, Bainimarama has certainly attempted to
depose the Qarase Government. No doubt about that. And the
military currently has control of the streets in Suva because
it has the firearms. On the other hand, per reftel, PM
Qarase has not resigned; President Iloilo has stated he
remains in office; and Bainimarama has admitted publicly that
he is meeting resistance from senior civil servants, from the
police, and from Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs. Our sources
confirm that to be the case (reftel). NGOs, churches, and
others are speaking publicly against Bainimarama's effort.
Qarase and his backers are certainly discussing "Fijian" ways
to convince the RFMF leadership to back down.
3. (C) With all that going on, we believe it wrong to state
definitively in public that Bainimarama has won the day. To
put the U.S. on record acknowledging Bainimarama has won
might encourage him and it could discourage those who
disagree with Bainimarama's actions, are working to frustrate
them, and are striving to re-solidify the lawful government
in Fiji. Note: Our understanding from our Aussie colleagues
in Suva is that FM Downer has stayed ambiguous, including by
saying publicly that Bainimarama "claims that he has
dismissed" the Government.
4. (C) All that said, we fully endorse the sub-PCC effort to
establish what the USG should do definitively if/when
Bainimarama does clearly consolidate control. We will
provide some comment on possibilities for that separately.
In the meantime, we believe the USG public message should
remain that Fiji is experiencing an attempted coup and the
USG has suspended our assistance to Fiji pending further
developments.
DINGER