FIJI COUP 2009: A SAMOAN VIEW

UNCLAS APIA 000007 DEPT PLEASE PASS TO EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SOCI PINR WS SUBJECT: FIJI COUP 2009: A SAMOAN VIEW ¶1. Summary: Samoa, and those in Samoa, have a keen interest in Fiji, observing events there through a Polynesian prism-when a member of the Pacific family acts out, other family members can and should be the most critical, "outsiders'" criticisms are considered less valid (and perhaps also less vexing to those criticized). Observers here are critical of events in Fiji, worried about what will happen, but pessimistic that any improvement or change in direction is imminent. End of summary. ¶2. Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi has been vocal in his criticism of the actions of Commodore Frank Bainimarama. On April, 14 (Samoa time, it would have been April 15 in Fiji),in response to the events of the past week, Tuilaepa condemned the abrogation of the constitution, saying it was the work of a dictator, that the Fijian president had acted under duress of pressure from Bainimarama. PM Tuilaepa went so far as to say Bainimarama is mentally ill, exhibiting typical behaviors and attitudes of dictators throughout history. A highly placed Samoan contact later said the statement, as reported in the press, was somewhat different from the original Samoan version, as it suffered a bit in translation. PM Tuilaepa was not saying the man is clinically mentally ill, but acting "crazy" since his behavior has no positive outcome, and he's pretty much eliminating any face-saving exits from the situation. ¶3. PM Tuilaepa's criticisms are motivated by a number of factors. As he's fond of saying, Bainimarama's grandmother was Samoan, so he has a right and duty to criticize this "cousin." Samoa takes its emerging role in the Pacific, including having a Samoan as head of the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat seriously, and is more than willing to take a leadership position, even if it means being vocally critical of another leader. Samoa is proud of its status as the first Pacific island nation to gain its independence, and feels its commitment to democracy since then gives it the right to speak with authority on the subject, and finally, he's been personally insulted on a number of occasions by the actions of Bainimarama or his emissaries. The man is not happy. He's also insulted by insinuations by Bainimarama that his criticisms come from being in the pocket of New Zealand and Australia (and to a lesser degree, the United States). ¶4. It's not just the Samoan government and leadership with a focus on Fiji, the concern is widespread. The media, especially the newspapers (in part motivated by concern about and close personal connections to journalists in Fiji),give a lot of attention to the subject. But so do others. At a recent gathering of heads of NGOs in Apia, three of the attendees (two Samoans and one other Pacific Islander) with significant experience in Fiji, spoke extensively on the subject. One was critical of PM Tuilaepa's comments, saying they certainly did not help matters - although I believe he meant with coaxing Bainimarama to change. In fact others have said support from Samoa is encouraging to Fijians trying to gauge foreign reactions. Tuilaepa has said repeatedly that the final solution will come when the people of Fiji, especially the churches, see that they have a role in tossing Bainimarama out. The three pretty much indicated their opinion is that the general population of Fiji is far, far from being desperate enough to do that yet. One said the population would not take that kind of action until 50 percent of the people were starving. They also said, in response to the currency devaluation, and general fiscal situation, that the banks may complain, but they'll gladly continue making big profits, and named Westpac and ANZ in particular. ¶5. Samoa looking pretty good about now. The three NGO reps mentioned above commented how many friends from Fiji contact them asking about the option of moving to Samoa. This week it was announced that the press freedom event UNESCO had scheduled to be held in Fiji in early May will be moved to Samoa. This is just the latest in a string of organizations, events, and individuals considering Samoa in an increasingly positive light. Samoa, while much less cosmopolitan, less developed and without the transportation and shipping connections of Fiji, is attracting positive attention from businesses, regional organizations and individuals looking for democratic stability. There has always been a strong connection. With a safe and vibrant economy, not to mention its close distance to Fiji (legend has it an ancient deity-giant left matching footprints in Samoa and Fiji),Fijians have, since the 1987 coup, seen Samoa as an attractive destination. The movement from Fiji to Samoa has been increasing, and with recent events, seems nowhere near slowing. Both indigenous and Indo-Fijians are included, with the Indo-Fijians perhaps more heavily represented. Many have taken up management posts in large private companies, but often keep a low profile, not really integrating socially with locals. Only a handful of Fijians have been "brave" in attempting to set up their own business due to uncertainty of Samoan reaction; most of these have occurred in partnership with a local Samoan. A fair number of the Fijians in Samoa are directly or indirectly involved with the booming Samoan tourism industry especially new tourist activities such as spas. Some have come as teachers or accountants or to work in IT positions. At the other end of the economic spectrum, some have migrated to Samoa as, for instance, nannies to mainly the expat and business community. ¶6. The Fijian/Samoan connection also goes the other way. Most of the doctors in Samoa were trained (at least their basic training) in Fiji. The majority of the Samoa's white collar workforce, including the majority of government employees, were educated at the regional University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji where Samoa sends 80% of its scholarship awardees annually. In the past 10 years, all of Samoa's medical doctors have attended the Fijian School of Tropical Medicine instead of more expensive schools in Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, or the United States. ¶7. Samoa's interest in, and focus on Fiji and the events there are not likely to lessen any time soon, especially with the Commodore providing such interesting material. YEAGER