FIJI INTERIM GOVERNMENT WANTS "COMPROMISE" ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000227 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2017 TAGS: ASEC AMGT CASC PREL FJ SUBJECT: FIJI INTERIM GOVERNMENT WANTS "COMPROMISE" ON EMBASSY BARRIERS; WANTS TO RESOLVE NEC ISSUE; ACTION REQUEST REF: SUVA 223 Classified By: Ambassador Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B) and (D). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) PM Office PermSec Parmesh Chand told the Ambassador April 18 that interim PM Bainimarama still insists on removal of the street barriers in front of the Embassy, but the April 20 deadline is postponed so diplomacy can have a chance to work. Chand said Bainimarama wants to know if the U.S. can see any other options, short of keeping the street closed. The Ambassador reiterated our impression that the barriers are the only obvious option to protect against a car bomb, but he promised to seek Washington guidance. Chand and MFA PermSec Ligairi agreed that the NEC visa issue is "solvable." They expect a resolution shortly after the interim Minister of Foreign Affairs returns to Fiji next week. In a separate meeting, Acting Police Commissioner Tikotikoca informed the Ambassador and RSO that he is tasked to provide a security assessment re the road. Tikotikoca indicated he sees the terrorist threat the same way we do. End summary. Interim PM "Firm" in His Directive to Remove Barriers But Willing to Give Diplomacy a Shot -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Parmesh Chand, the PM Office Permanent Secretary, met with the Ambassador again on 4/18, accompanied by MFA PermSec Ross Ligairi. Chand said Commodore Bainimarama is still firm in his desire to remove barriers on Loftus Street and open the street to traffic. Nevertheless, he has agreed to delay action to remove the barriers for the time being so that further bilateral discussions can take place. Friday, April 20 is no longer a deadline. Chand said Bainimarama wants to know if the U.S. can see any other options to protect the Embassy, short of keeping the barriers in place. One idea, said Chand, might be to increase police presence in the area, including erecting a police post on the street corner. Chand emphasized that the interim government is willing to be "flexible" as to the time frame for removing the barriers while the two sides try to work out a solution. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador replied that, from the U.S. perspective, the best solution would be to extend the time the barriers are in place by two years, at which time the Embassy will be prepared to move into a new building, assuming the "NEC visa" issue can be resolved. The Ambassador noted that the presence of a police post, without barriers at which cars are stopped and checked, would only result in more deaths to Fiji citizens if a terrorist attack on the Embassy takes place. The Ambassador admitted he is not a security expert and promised to advise Washington of the interim government's request for "more options." However, he expressed pessimism that any solution which permits a free flow of traffic will be satisfactory. Chand said he understands, but underscored that he is attempting to find a diplomatic solution. While the interim PM remains "pretty firm" on the need to open the street, the fact that he has welcomed continued discussion is significant. In late p.m. when a news website reported Chand saying discussions had taken place but the Friday deadline remains in place, we phoned Chand, who said, no, he had briefed Bainimarama who had agreed that, with diplomacy continuing about "compromises," Friday is not the deadline. Chand, MFA PermSec Optimistic on NEC Issue -------------- ¶4. (C) The Ambassador told Chand and MFA PermSec Ross Ligairi that after his meeting with Chand 4/17 (reftel) the Embassy checked with Washington in regard to the employment status of the six employees assigned to oversee construction of the new embassy compound (NEC). All six are US government employees; all will be traveling on official or diplomatic passports. The Embassy is not, the Ambassador emphasized, asking for special status for the many contractors who will work with Telesource on the project. They will have to obtain work permits like any other incoming workers. ¶5. (C) Ligairi said he has looked carefully into the NEC visa issue and is convinced the U.S. is correct. The earlier MFA response denying visas to the new staff was based on an incorrect assessment by the MFA protocol department. Ligairi noted that the interim Minister of Foreign Affairs will be back in Fiji Monday following conclusion of meetings in Brussels. Ligairi has drafted a memo recommending issuance SUVA 00000227 002 OF 002 of the visas. He expects the issue to be resolved soon after the Minister returns. Chand agreed that the NEC visa issue appears to be easily solvable. The Ambassador said the U.S. could wait another week, but stressed the need to solve the problem quickly so construction can begin. ¶6. (C) Chand said he had met with the Suva City Town Clerk in the morning. The Clerk had mentioned that aspects of the NEC would still need City approval, since not all plans are yet in place. We noted that the architect's plans are now at the 35% level, and later permits and approvals will be needed. Chand said he would be happy to facilitate such approvals if necessary. Acting Police Commissioner Understands Threat -------------- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador and RSO met with Acting Police Commissioner Tikotikoca in the p.m. to discuss the Police role in determining threat levels and providing security to the embassy. Tikotikoca said the interim government had not consulted him before issuing the order to remove the vehicle barriers. Now, though, the Police are tasked to provide a threat assessment. Tikotikoca indicated he agreed with the Ambassador that the terrorist threat is global, that Fiji has had indicators in the past of terrorist interest, and certainly Fiji is not immune from the threat today. We noted that Bainimarama is seeking alternatives that could provide the embassy sufficient protection while allowing the street to be open. We asked Tikotikoca to provide any good options. He said he would think about it, but he had no immediate ideas. We noted that the current barriers manned mostly by embassy security guards are surely the most cost-effective solution for the police. Comment and Action Request -------------- ¶8. (C) Today's meeting with Chand and Ligairi had a positive, constructive tone, but we are not out of the woods yet. It looks like we may have a solution for the NEC visa issue, though one learns never to get too optimistic in Fiji. Regarding the barriers, we would welcome a compromise that would maintain our protection against car bombs. We wonder just how much flexibility Bainimarama is prepared to offer. Chand did not leap at our float again of the "let's just delay two years" idea. Would DS consider providing Fiji Police officers a stipend to take up all or the bulk of the barrier manning, including car searches? We hear this is common at some posts. Currently, one Fiji policeman "oversees" embassy security guards working the barriers. We can also envision a more rudimentary set of barriers for the next two years, something akin to the barrels filled with sand and sliding tire shredders that the embassy used before installing the barriers. Or, theoretically, we could offer to turn the street into a park, though that would seemingly block off access to one of our parking lots. ¶9. (C) It is possible Bainimarama is willing to back off from his public stance to remove the barriers but prefers that we offer him a face-saving alternative. He has backed away from seemingly firm public statements on other issues in the past. We will continue to try to sell the "two years to NEC" compromise. However, on the face of it, Bainimarama is determined to see the barriers come down soon. We have a few days to offer suggestions, now that the April 20 deadline is postponed. Please provide any Washington ideas for compromises that could still adequately protect the embassy. DINGER