FIJI UPDATE 12/20: NO OUTCOME YET AT THE GCC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000578 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PHUM ASEC CASC FJ SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 12/20: NO OUTCOME YET AT THE GCC REF: SUVA 573 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: DCM Ted Mann per 1.4 (B) and (D) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) As expected, there was no substantive outcome announced at the end of the 12/20 meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs. The GCC meeting will conclude 12/21. The Chairman of the GCC began the 12/20 session by noting how the GCC had been ridiculed by the military, and urged Chiefs not to be intimidated. Bainimarama, PM Qarase and President Iloilo did not attend. Vice President Madraiwiwi did show up, despite offering his resignation 12/19. The U.S. announcement of sanctions against Fiji received considerable air play. The military government has agreed to a visit by the Pacific Island Forum's Eminent Persons Group in January, but will receive a Melanesian Spearhead Group delegation first. On a day when everyone else in the nation seemed to be focusing on the GCC, the military government announced that it was sticking to a "One China" policy. First Day of GCC Concludes -------------- ¶2. (C) The first day of the GCC concluded 12/20 with no substantive outcome. At a short press conference at the end of the day's deliberations, a GCC spokesperson noted that meetings will continue 12/21. The spokesperson said the GCC discussed the origins of the current crisis, but was "deeply saddened" that legal and constitutional avenues to resolve grievances had not been adequately explored. She said the Council hoped to agree on ways to help resolve the crisis in the 12/21 meetings. She noted that the Council had invited Commander Bainimarama to the meeting. (He has already said he won't attend). ¶3. (C) GCC Chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini addressed the chiefs at the GCC opening, noting the entire nation is awaiting their decisions. He said the country is in crisis, with the economy reeling, tourism down, and international sanctions biting hard. The chiefs need to "stand united" to help the country through this difficult time. Clearly referring to military criticism of the GCC, Ratu Ovini bitterly decried how the GCC has been ridiculed and its authority questioned. Chiefs, he said, should not be intimidated, but should deliberate "in good conscience." ¶4. (SBU) As reported reftel, neither Commodore Bainimarama nor PM Qarase attended the meeting; Qarase because the RFMF wouldn't let him fly into Suva, Bainimarama because he wasn't invited in the capacity of "Acting President." President Iloilo did not attend today's GCC, but Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi did. Ratu Joni tendered his resignation as VP to GCC Chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini late on December 19, but sat in the chair designated for the VP in the 12/20 session. The GCC did not issue any statements about Ratu Joni's status during or after the 12/20 meeting. Other attendees at the GCC meeting included Minister of Education Ro Teimumu Kepa, Minister without Portfolio Adi Samanunu Cakobau, and State Minister Ratu Suliano Matanitobua. All are prominent chiefs, but not members of the GCC. Reportedly, chiefs from all 14 provinces attended the meeting. Several church leaders also attended. Graham Leung, President of the Fiji Law Society, met with Ratu Ovini just before the meeting started, presumably to inform him of the GCC's legal obligations and options under the Constitution. U.S. Press Statement Gets Considerable Press Coverage -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) The statement by State Department Spokesman Sean McCormick announcing U.S. measures in response to the coup received considerable air play on TV, radio, and on the various news websites in Fiji. The press highlighted the loss of U.S. military assistance and the visa restrictions on coup and interim government leaders. MSG Delegation Coming to Fiji, Eminent Persons to Follow -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) MFA CEO Isikeli Mataitoga told the Australian High Commissioner today that the military has agreed to a visit by a four-person Melanesian Spearhead Group delegation later this week. The delegation will be "CEO level" according to Mataitoga. Solomon Islands Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. John SUVA 00000578 002 OF 002 Roughan, told Radio New Zealand the aim of the visit is to assist Fiji return to democratic rule. In a statement issued on the RFMF website 12/20, the military announced that it had also agreed to a visit of the Pacific Island Forum's Eminent Persons Group. According to the statement, "We reiterate that Fiji stands ready to hear wise counsel....It must be stressed that what has taken place is now water under the bridge. We express the hope that the Eminent Person's Group would come to offer real assistance and practical solution to the current difficulties in Fiji." We understand the EPG visit will take place in mid-January. Speight Moved From Nukulau -------------- ¶7. (C) 2000 Coup leader George Speight and 20 CRW soldiers involved in the 2000 coup were transferred today out of Nukulau island, as Commodore Bainimarama promised earlier in the week. Speight has reportedly been transferred to Naboro prison, about 20 minutes west of Suva. Meanwhile, the RFMF Reaffirms the "One China" Policy -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) The "Office of the Acting President and Commander RFMF" issued a press statement 12/20 reaffirming Fiji's adherence to the One China Policy. According to the statement, "Fiji recognizes the People's Republic of China as the legitimate government of all China including the province of Taiwan." "This re-statement we feel is necessary to put beyond any doubt any suggestions that Fiji may have changed its position on this important objective in Fiji's Foreign Policy Framework." Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) All eyes are on the GCC meeting tomorrow. We are not particularly optimistic that there will be any breakthroughs at the meeting to help "resolve" the crisis caused by the illegal actions of Fiji's military. DINGER