FIJI UPDATE, JANUARY 29, 2007: EPG MEETINGS START;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000072

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PHUM ASEC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE, JANUARY 29, 2007: EPG MEETINGS START;
BAINIMARAMA BLAMES NGOS FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY; SPORTS HERO
LEERY OF INTERIM GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENT

REF: SUVA 068 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Charge Ted Mann per 1.5 (B) and (D)

Summary
--------------

1. (C) The Pacific Island Forum's Eminent Persons Group
began its meetings in Fiji today. Interim PM Bainimarama
called his meeting with the EPG useful, saying the group
understands "there is no turning back." Bainimarama took
another strong swipe at NGO activists, accusing them of
poisoning the views of Australia, New Zealand and other
countries. Only because of NGOs, he said, are checkpoints
still in place. The interim government advertised permanent
secretary vacancies in major newspapers. Fiji's foreign

SIPDIS
investment chief told us she is looking to emigrate. Sports
hero Waisele Serevi insists he has not agreed to accept an
appointment to a new government sports board, apparently
because of concerns about possible visa restrictions. End
Summary.

Eminent Persons Group Visit Kicks Off
--------------

2. (U) The EPG met with interim PM Bainimarama, President
Iloilo, lawyer Richard Naidu and others 1/29. The EPG was
scheduled to meet with former VP Ratu Jone Madraiwiwi late in
the day. Bainimarama told reporters his meeting with the EPG
was useful; the EPG knows, he said, there is no turning back.
EPG members made no comments to the press. That would wait,
they said, until the end of the week-long visit. The press
statement issued by the embassy which stated that the U.S.
supports the visit of the EPG as part of efforts to encourage
the swift restoration of democracy received considerable
airplay.

Bainimarama Says Elections in "3,4 or 5 Years"
-------------- -

3. (U) Speaking on a Fijian language "talk-back" show over
the weekend, Bainimarama said the military-appointed interim
government is likely to rule for "three, four or five years."
The up-to-five-year timeframe noted by the Commodore is
consistent with a statement made last week by the Secretary
of the President's Office, who said the interim regime would
remain in place up to five years.

Bainimarama Says NGOs to Blame for State of Emergency,
"Incorrect" Foreign Government Views
-------------- --------------

4. (U) In the same talk-back program, Bainimarama said
military checkpoints remain in place because of "inciteful"
comments from some NGOs. Bainimarama said he cannot
understand why these NGOs continue to speak out against the
interim government, but assumes they are trying to impress
their foreign donors. Switching to English, the Commander
said the "incorrect" views of Australia, New Zealand and
other foreign countries is due to misinformation from the
NGOs. "That's one reason the RFMF is really pissed off at
the NGOs." Bainimarama reiterated that those who speak out
against the government and military will be brought to the
military camp for questioning. NGO activists Laisa Digitaki
and Angie Heffernan remain in hiding from the military, which
has sought to bring them to the camp since early last week.

Interim Government Advertises Permanent Secretary Jobs
-------------- --------------

5. (SBU) Fiji's Public Service Commission put out ads in
Fiji's daily newspapers today, inviting applications to
Permanent Secretary positions in government ministries.
Salaries are advertised at FJ$74,000 to FJ$96,000 (USD
44,000-58,000) plus benefits. While the advertisements
stated that current ministry CEOs are welcome to apply,
former Ministry of Commerce CEO Sereli Koyamaibole told us
the military "has people in mind" for all the jobs.
Koyamaibole, who is now looking to start his own business in
the private sector, complained to the media that he had not
yet received his final paycheck.

Investment Chief on Her Way Out
--------------

6. (C) The respected head of the Fiji Trade and Investment
Board (FTIB),Lailun Khan, told us she is seeking to emigrate
to New Zealand as soon as possible (she apparently has
re-activated an earlier application). Khan said she has
been in constant contact with the military over the past few
weeks over foreign investment related issues and "is sick of
all this." Khan's comments about military interference
appear to refer to a new "Project Facilitation Committee" she

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announced 1/29. The Committee, formed after a directive from
Interim PM Bainimarama, is comprised of representatives from
the PM's office, the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Tourism,
Reserve Bank and several other government departments. In
her press statement, Khan said the Committee "will ensure
that all hurdles are ironed out for investors to complete
their projects on time." Her unguarded comments to us
indicate her real views are quite different. (Comment: The
departure of Khan and her husband, the head of the Fiji
Muslim Association, would be a real loss for Fiji.
Unfortunately the emigration of many of Fiji's best and
brightest seems inevitable. End comment.)

Serevi Worried About Visa Bans After
Sports Council Appointment
--------------

7. (U) Waisale Serevi, the player/coach of Fiji's world
champion 7s rugby team, expressed surprise 1/27 that he had
been named a Fiji Sports Council member by the interim
government. Serevi, undoubtedly the most popular sports
figure in Fiji (golfer VJ Singh might be a distant second or
third),immediately distanced himself from the appointment,
saying he was not consulted. Serevi told reporters he was
worried about visa restrictions imposed by Australia, New
Zealand and other countries. Serevi said he would make a
decision only after the 7s team completes upcoming
tournaments in Wellington and San Diego.

















MANN