AMBASSADOR PRESSES BAINIMARAMA FOR BENCHMARKS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000417

C O R R E C T E D COPY (ADDED ADDITIONAL INFO ADDRESSEES)

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV AS FJ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESSES BAINIMARAMA FOR BENCHMARKS TO
DEMOCRACY

REF: 07 STATE 159935


1. (SBU) Summary: On November 4, Ambassador McGann met
one-on-one with Fiji's Interim Prime Minister Voreqe "Frank"
Bainimarama almost immediately after presenting his
credentials to Fiji's President Iloilo. Ambassador pressed
Bainimarama to set benchmarks and timelines for an early
restoration of democracy, while highlighting areas such as
law enforcement, the economy, environmental protection and
humanitarian assistance for possible cooperation with the
Fijian people. Bainimarama said that he would welcome
ongoing discussions with the Ambassador. At the same time,
he confirmed that elections would not occur next March and
cast doubt as to holding them in 2009. End summary.


2. (SBU) On the morning of November 4, Ambassador McGann
presented his letters of credence and recall to Fiji's
85-year old President Josefa Iloilo in a brief and
choreographed credentialing ceremony at Government House in
Suva. Ambassador had been forewarned by Fiji's chief of
protocol that the ailing president had not rested well the
night before and therefore would not be able to devote as
much time as he had wished to the meeting. As the meeting
ended, however, President Iloilo gently protested that he
wanted to visit longer and offered Ambassador an open
invitation to return as soon as possible for another visit.
A few minutes later Ambassador met Bainimarama at the Prime
Minister's office. Having just concluded a cabinet meeting,
Bainimarama introduced Ambassador to his assembled cabinet.
(Only traveling Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was not
present.) Bainimarama then invited Ambassador into his
office for a one-on-one meeting.


3. (SBU) Ambassador told Bainimarama that he would meet with
all elements of Fijian society to help quickly restore the
rule of law, strengthen civil society, and rebuild democratic
insitutions in Fiji. McGann said that he would speak
directly with all elements of Fijian society -- and not just
through the press -- to convey continuing U.S. concerns and
actions regarding the current situation in Fiji. He
underscored U.S. desires to cooperate with the Fijian people
in such areas as law enforcement, the economy, environmental
protection and humanitarian assitance. McGann told
Bainimarama that the United States firmly supported the
efforts of the Pacific Islands Forum and partners such as
Australia and New Zealand. The United States would not lift
or relax sanctions until Fiji returned to democracy. He
emphasized to Bainimarama that it is necessary for the
interim government to establish timelines and benchmarks
implementing a roadmap back to democracy. McGann underlined
that the Presdential Polititcal Dialogue Forum (PPDF) would
not be credible in the absence of a measureable commitment to
hold elections.


4. (SBU) Bainimarama replied that elections could be called
two weeks from now or two months from now. He added that
Fiji would require 12-15 months in order to prepare for
elections - once he pronounced Fiji's political environment
fit for elections. Bainimarama emphasized that he is not
ready to do so. He noted the interim government's engagement
with opposition parties in the PPDF process and said these
exchanges would continue, but he added that elections would
not be called until he thought Fiji was ready.


5. (SBU) Bainimarama raised the issue of the draft People's
Charter, his interim government's manifesto for Fiji's
future. Ambassador underlined that the elements of the
Charter could not be imposed extra-constitutionally.
Ambassador observed that deposed Prime Minister Qarase had
said during the dialogue that the next government could look
at implementing some of the elements in the Charter, but they
had to be approved by parliament. Ambassador said that the
draft Charter's provisions regarding the future role it
envisions for the military in Fijian society was not
acceptable. The military, he said, could not have a
pre-emptive role over democratic institutions. McGann also
raised concerns about certain provisions that appear aimed at
curbing the free exercise of speech and association by Fiji's
press and opposition political parties.


6. (SBU) As the meeting ended, the two posed for a
photograph. Bainimarama and Ambassador agreed to meet again
on November 16, after the interim prime minister returns from
the ACP Finance Ministerial meeting in Brussels (via
Singapore).


7. (C) Following his meeting with Fijian officials,
Ambassador met separately with New Zealand Acting High
Commissioner McDonald and PIF Secretary General Slade to
brief them on his meetings. DCM also met with Deputy
Australian High Commissioner Martin to share a read-out. All
parties welcomed the U.S. inititiave to expand engagement and

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pronounce continued strong support for the PIF's efforts.
Martin confided that Canberra has had several internal
discussions about arranging a meeting with Bainimarama by its
own High Commissioner, but the timing never seemed right. He
added that the timing for Ambassador McGann's meeting with
Bainimarama works well early in his tenure and would
contribute to Canberra's thinking regarding direct
engagement.
MCGANN