Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CANBERRA740
2008-07-23 01:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
DFAT OFFICIALS COMMENT ON BAINIMARAMA'S ELECTION
how-toVZCZCXRO3760 PP RUEHPB DE RUEHBY #0740 2050130 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 230130Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9893 INFO RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 1898 RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 1490 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 5396
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000740
SIPDIS
WELLINGTON PASS TO AUCKLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2018
TAGS: AS FJ PREL
SUBJECT: DFAT OFFICIALS COMMENT ON BAINIMARAMA'S ELECTION
POSTPONEMENT
REF: SUVA 292
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR JAMES COLE. REASON: 1.4 (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000740
SIPDIS
WELLINGTON PASS TO AUCKLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2018
TAGS: AS FJ PREL
SUBJECT: DFAT OFFICIALS COMMENT ON BAINIMARAMA'S ELECTION
POSTPONEMENT
REF: SUVA 292
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR JAMES COLE. REASON: 1.4 (D)
1. (C) Summary: DFAT Fiji Section officials told Polcouns
and Poloff on July 22 that in their view Commodore Frank
Bainimarama's postponement of elections until at least 2010
will further alienate him from most Fijians and exacerbate
chances of political clashes on the island. PNG and Fiji
Section Director Stephen Hennigham said that the
international community must stay united in its calls for
polls next year and to also warn Bainimarama that his action
could cause serious political and economic consequences for
Fiji. He added that the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) next
month will be the first opportunity for his Pacific Islands
counterparts to engage Bainimarama on his decision. (End
summary)
BAINIMARAMA DRAWS A LINE, DFAT OFFICIAL SAYS
2. (C) DFAT PNG and Fiji Section Director Stephen
Henningham and Fiji Taskforce Executive Officer Rachel Cooper
told Emboffs on July 22 that Frank Bainimarama's announcement
the day before that elections will not be held before 2010,
only a day after he described election preparations to
visiting Australian Foreign Minister Smith (reftel),was a
clumsy move that exposed him to criticism from the
international community and one that will exacerbate
discontent within the Fijian population.
ISOLATED LEADER
3. (C) Henningham said that the next step to take in the
face of Bainimarama's announcement is to shore up a united
Pacific nations front to pressure Bainimarama to change his
mind and stick to the commitments he made at the last PIF in
Tonga. There should also be a concerted effort to warn the
Fijian leader that his decision to push back elections to
some unspecified date after 2009 will only foment more
discontent among the Fijian population and further isolate
Fiji within the international community. He added that next
month's PIF in Niue will be the first opportunity for
Bainimarama's counterparts from the Pacific islands nations
to engage with him and persuade him to back away from his
election postponement.
McCallum
SIPDIS
WELLINGTON PASS TO AUCKLAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2018
TAGS: AS FJ PREL
SUBJECT: DFAT OFFICIALS COMMENT ON BAINIMARAMA'S ELECTION
POSTPONEMENT
REF: SUVA 292
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR JAMES COLE. REASON: 1.4 (D)
1. (C) Summary: DFAT Fiji Section officials told Polcouns
and Poloff on July 22 that in their view Commodore Frank
Bainimarama's postponement of elections until at least 2010
will further alienate him from most Fijians and exacerbate
chances of political clashes on the island. PNG and Fiji
Section Director Stephen Hennigham said that the
international community must stay united in its calls for
polls next year and to also warn Bainimarama that his action
could cause serious political and economic consequences for
Fiji. He added that the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) next
month will be the first opportunity for his Pacific Islands
counterparts to engage Bainimarama on his decision. (End
summary)
BAINIMARAMA DRAWS A LINE, DFAT OFFICIAL SAYS
2. (C) DFAT PNG and Fiji Section Director Stephen
Henningham and Fiji Taskforce Executive Officer Rachel Cooper
told Emboffs on July 22 that Frank Bainimarama's announcement
the day before that elections will not be held before 2010,
only a day after he described election preparations to
visiting Australian Foreign Minister Smith (reftel),was a
clumsy move that exposed him to criticism from the
international community and one that will exacerbate
discontent within the Fijian population.
ISOLATED LEADER
3. (C) Henningham said that the next step to take in the
face of Bainimarama's announcement is to shore up a united
Pacific nations front to pressure Bainimarama to change his
mind and stick to the commitments he made at the last PIF in
Tonga. There should also be a concerted effort to warn the
Fijian leader that his decision to push back elections to
some unspecified date after 2009 will only foment more
discontent among the Fijian population and further isolate
Fiji within the international community. He added that next
month's PIF in Niue will be the first opportunity for
Bainimarama's counterparts from the Pacific islands nations
to engage with him and persuade him to back away from his
election postponement.
McCallum