FIJI UPDATE 3/27/07:

C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000187

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM MARR ASEC CVIS FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 3/27/07:

REF: SUVA 177

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

Forum-Fiji working group: teething pains
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1. (C) The Forum-Fiji working group proposed at the Forum
Ministerial in Vanuatu may begin efforts shortly. The
Forum's intention is for high commissioners at Forum-member
embassies in Suva to make up the Forum side, including the
high commissioners from New Zealand and Australia. It will
be interesting to observe how vigorously the interim
government proceeds. We hear the initial omens are not
promising. During a meeting yesterday, PermSec Chand from
the PM's office and PermSec Ligairi from MFA let PIF know
Fiji is expecting Forum working-group participants to be from
capitals and is not expecting Australia or New Zealand to be
included.

A revised Defense white paper
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2. (U) Deputy RFMF Commander Teleni told the media on March
23 that the Fiji military has drafted a new policy direction
for itself, rejecting a draft defense white paper prepared
under the Qarase Government. The current Fiji Ambassador to
the U.S. was one of the authors of the Qarase draft which, in
the view of the RFMF, was intended to "weaken the military"
by suggesting Fiji doesn't need a large army since it faces
no external threat. Teleni said the RFMF wants to make clear
it should retain rather broad roles to "contribute to the
security, peace, and stability of the region."

Unions and military continue shadow boxing
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3. (U) Public sector unions continue to undertake secret
ballots to decide whether or not to strike over the interim
Government's 5% wage cut and the reduction of the retirement
age from 60 to 55. Reportedly, members of the various unions
have voted overwhelmingly to strike. Commodore Bainimarama
reiterated March 22 that the military will "take action" if
necessary, since the security situation in Fiji is "still
delicate" and "there are elements out there who can take
advantage of the situation and destabilize the nation." On
March 23, Teleni added to the threat by suggesting that if
civil servants go on strike "they will never come back to
work. They will go for good." On the other hand, Tevita
Koroi, President of the Fiji Teachers Association, says
Teleni told him a strike will be allowed and nobody will lose
jobs so long as it is done within the law. Koroi is certain
any FTA strike action will be done legally. (Comment: we are
not so sure the RFMF and the unions will have the same view
of "legality.")

Fiji Amb to U.S. pleads for illegal immigrants
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4. (U) Fiji Ambassador to the United States Vitusagavulu made
the news in Suva with a media statement on his discussion
with the President's Advisory Commission on Asian American
and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Vitu reportedly urged the AAPI
to educate Fijians in the U.S. about Small Business
Administration programs. He suggested that 49% of Fiji
Islanders in the U.S. are not citizens and that their legal
status is unclear. He said the Embassy is keen to see the
status of such people "regularized," perhaps under U.S.
immigration-reform legislation.

Embassy landlord takes FTIB Chairmanship
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5. (C) Prominent Suva businessman Sir James (Jim) Ah Koy (who
was a minister in the Rabuka governments and is the embassy
landlord) has agreed to be Chairman of the Fiji Trade and
Investment Board (FTIB),a government entity. Ah Koy told
the media he is taking the job for "selfish motives" and "an
interest in national preservation." He said the primary
motive is to protect his own investments (which he estimates
at F$100 million (US$60 million)). He stressed he wants to
see a return to democracy "hopefully within two years." Ah
Koy urged other investors similarly "to pitch in out of self
interest if they want to protect their investments in the
country." Ah Koy phoned the Ambassador today to make clear
he does not see taking the FTIB role as endorsing the interim
regime. He said he understands where the USG is coming from
with its policy toward Fiji, and he hopes the USG will also
understand his motives. He did not mention the U.S. visa ban
(yet),but we presume that was on his mind.
DINGER