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 SUVA 00000417 002 OF 002 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