FIJI UPDATE 1/5: PRESIDENT NAMES BAINIMARAMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000015

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM ASEC CASC CH TW FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 1/5: PRESIDENT NAMES BAINIMARAMA
INTERIM PM; MORE ABUSE CLAIMS; FIJI VILLAGE UNCERTAINTIES;
CHINA/TAIWAN AND FIJI

REF: SUVA 005 (AND PREVIOUS)

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

Summary
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1. (C) Fiji President Iloilo swore in Commodore Bainimarama
and interim Prime Minister on Dec. 5. Bainimarama, still
clearly in charge, then urged Fiji citizens and the
international community to help bring good government and
true democratic values. Iloilo's doctor reports the
President is senile. More details are emerging of military
abuse, and the police have confirmed to us that a man died in
military custody this morning. Chief Justice Fatiaki
believes Justice Shameem is a "traitor." Sources suggest the
mood in Fijian villages is potentially volatile, but chiefs
damp down such sentiments fearing any protests would erupt
into violence with worse effects than the coup. China,
alleging long-time Taiwan cash payments to the Fiji PM's
office, has received reassurance of Fiji's "one China"
policy. Bainimarama appears publicly confident he can count
of China for military aid if needed. End summary.

Bainimarama interim PM; maiden speech
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2. (U) President Iloilo, having been reinstalled yesterday by
RFMF Commander Bainimarama, today swore in Bainimarama as
interim Prime Minister. A short while later, Bainimarama
gave an address to the nation. He promised to uphold the
mandates which Iloilo had announced yesterday (ref) and said
he will discuss those mandates with an interim government to
be sworn in soon. Bainimarama said he will remain RFMF
Commander. He appealed to all citizens to help achieve
Fiji's true potential through a "transparent, fair, just, and
non-corrupt government" that can take Fiji to "truly
democratic and Constitution-based elections." He asked the
international community to "support our need to find a
Fiji-based solution...maintaining true democratic values and
ensuring just and good government."

"Senile" President
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3. (C) We spoke with President Iloilo's personal physician on
1/4 and inquired what might have caused the turn-around from
Iloilo's "rule of law" statement in early December to his now
fulsome endorsement of the coup. The MD said Iloilo is at
this point so "senile" that he will read out whatever is put
in front of him. In early December, VP Madraiwiwi was in
place to provide wisdom; now Iloilo hears advice only from
Bainimarama.

Abuse allegations; a murder in custody?
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4. (C) Good second-hand sources report that at least one of
the female human-rights activists abused at the military camp
early Christmas morning was "felt up" by LtCol. Tevita Mara
and was warned she would receive worse treatment unless she
stopped her activities. In a separate incident, the CEO of
the Fijian Affairs Board was reportedly forced to run around
the camp dressed only in bra and panties. The police
confirmed to us that a man in his late thirties died in
military custody this morning. According to the police,
soldiers from the checkpoint in Nausori brought the man to
the military barracks. Military officials later brought his
body - marked by visible bruises - to the police. Pacnews
says this is "the first casualty of the military takeover."
Good sources tell us the man was not a democracy activist,
and that he had complained to the military about a land
dispute. The police also told us that on Tuesday a local bus
driver complained to soldiers at the Nausori checkpoint that
nearby villagers had damaged his bus. The soldiers collected
six persons from the village, including a police tactical
response unit officer, and subjected them to beatings over a
three hour period.

State of Emergency Remains
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5. (C) The military spokesman reaffirmed today that Fiji
remains in a "state of emergency." He said checkpoints would
therefore remain in place around the country.

The CJ's "vacation"

SUVA 00000015 002 OF 002


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6. (C) Chief Justice Fatiaki tells us he learned he was about
to be placed on "vacation" on Jan. 3, just before
Bainimarama's announcement (see Suva 002),when RFMF Chief of
Staff Teleni and RFMF lawyer Aziz visited him with two
letters: one placing him on vacation; the other terminating
his employment. Fatiaki chose the vacation. Fatiaki and his
wife left no doubt whom they blame: the "traitor" Justice
Nazhat Shameem, who, according to fast spreading rumor, has
been advising RFMF coup-related efforts.

The mood in Fiji villages
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7. (C) We spoke with VP Madraiwiwi, Ratu Jioji Maulani, a
high-ranking chief from Ra Province, and Fatiaki about the
mood in the ethnic-Fijian community. None felt confident
about predicting the future. Maulani had just spent
Christmas week in his home village. He reported that people
are continuing with their lives, but underneath there is deep
unhappiness. The chief said whenever anyone starts talking
about taking to the streets, senior chiefs put a damper on
it, knowing that once started, any uprising, even if intended
to be peaceful, would spin out of control, endangering Fiji
even more than the coup has.

China-Taiwan and the Fiji coup
--------------

8. (C) We spoke with China's ambassador to Fiji when he
signed the condolence book for President Ford. Amb. Cai
acknowledged that China approached Fiji's MFA, but not
Bainimarama directly, after the coup seeking assurance Taiwan
would make no inroads (see 06 Suva 581). The move was
stimulated by a belief that after Fiji's 1987 and 2000 coups
Taiwan had gained advantages, and by remarks by previous
interim PM Senilagakali that Fiji would look to China,
Taiwan, India, and others if Western powers insist on
sanctions. Cai reported that after 1987, Taiwan provided
F$1.25 million (about USD 700,000) annually to the Prime
Minister's office. After 2000, Cai said, the amount
increased by F$500,000 (USD 300,000). The PRC believed the
funds bought improved quasi-diplomatic status for the Taiwan
office here.


9. (U) Earlier this week, Bainimarama publicly expressed the
view that the RFMF could count on China to provide military
assistance if Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., the UK, and
France decline to help. When Australian FM Downer discounted
that prospect, Bainimarama reiterated confidence that the
Chinese are indeed prepared to assist.

Comment
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10. (C) We hear that some well-qualified, "clean" people are
receiving phone calls from the RFMF advisory group with
offers of ministerial jobs. In at least one case, we know
the response was "no thanks." All of Fiji awaits the list.
By taking the PM-ship, Bainimarama clearly retains control of
his "clean up," and he certainly can engineer an "immunity"
proclamation. Whether he can achieve more lofty goals
remains much in doubt.
DINGER