FIJI'S PRESIDENT SELECTED TO SERVE A SECOND TERM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000098

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2016
TAGS: PGOV FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI'S PRESIDENT SELECTED TO SERVE A SECOND TERM

REF: SUVA 72

Classified By: AMBASSADOR LARRY M. DINGER, REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (SBU) Summary: On March 8, Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs
(GCC) announced the selection of Fiji's President Ratu Josefa
Iloilo and Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi to serve five
more years. The action follows a statement by Iloilo in
early February that he was available to serve another term.
For months there has been speculation that the GCC might
select a President or Vice President who had been implicated
in Fiji's coup of 2000. Over the last few weeks, the Fiji
military has made clear that the latter outcome would be
unacceptable. Behind-the-scenes maneuvering took place up to
the last minute. Reportedly a group of chiefs from a portion
of Iloilo's own confederacy visited him March 7 and asked him
to withdraw his name. Iloilo reportedly declined the offer,
and all three confederacies ultimately agreed to his
selection. End Summary.


2. (U) Under Fiji's Constitution, the 55-member GCC selects a
president and vice-president every five years. The GCC is
composed of chiefs from each of Fiji's 14 provinces. Through
an informal arrangement, the presidency and vice-presidency
rotate among the three chiefly confederacies. Until
recently, many thought the 85-year-old Iloilo would not seek
another term, due to failing health. However, on February 2
Iloilo announced he would be available for another term.
Behind-the-scenes machinations and lobbying have been intense
over the last few days.


3. (C) If Iloilo did not serve another term, the northern
Tovata Confederacy would be next in line for president, and
the head of that confederacy, a Minister in the Qarase
Government, was convicted of a 2000-coup-related crime.
Fiji's military was intensely concerned that a coup-convict
might become President or VP, with Commander Bainimarama
publicly stating that anyone who had been convicted of
coup-related charges would be unacceptable (reftel).
Bainimarama went on Fijian radio as the GCC convened to issue
a reminder that the stability of the country rested on
Iloilo's reselection. Iloilo has been seen as supportive of
Bainimarama, and refused to fire him in late 2003 despite the
Prime Minister's request that he do so.


4. (C) The day before the GCC selections a group of chiefs
from Iloilo's confederacy reportedly visited him and asked
him to withdraw his candidacy. Iloilo reportedly refused,
stating the decision rested with the GCC. Under chiefly
protocol, it would have been a grave insult to Iloilo for the
GCC not to reappoint him as president after he had made clear
his availability. In the end, after several hours of
negotiation at the GCC meeting, all three confederacies
supported the proposal that the President and Vice President
remain in office.


5. (C) Comment: President Iloilo's reselection will, at least
for the short term, help preserve stability. Fiji's military
will not use this issue to remove the Government. On the
other hand, PM Qarase and a group of Fijian-nationalist
chiefs must be very disappointed. They will conclude that
Iloilo will continue to thwart attempts to remove
Bainimarama. Retaining highly-regarded Vice President
Madraiwiwi in office keeps him available as ultimate mediator
between the Government and military. Many doubt that Iloilo
will be physically capable of serving another five years. If
he leaves office, the Constitution requires a new GCC
selection process for his replacement. For now though, with
elections looming in May, political stability at the top will
send welcome signals to most of the populace. End comment.
DINGER