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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- - ¶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 -------------- ¶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