Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA993
2009-11-08 22:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA GRATEFUL FOR U.S. SUPPORT ON FIJI
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000993
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM FJ AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA GRATEFUL FOR U.S. SUPPORT ON FIJI
CANBERRA 00000993 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, for reasons 1
.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000993
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM FJ AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA GRATEFUL FOR U.S. SUPPORT ON FIJI
CANBERRA 00000993 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, for reasons 1
.4 (b),(d)
1. (C/NF) Summary: Deeply frustrated with Fijian strongman
Frank Bainimarama, Australia is determined to maintain its
policy of isolating Fiji while trying to avoid overreacting.
Bainimarama's recent expulsion of the Australian and New
Zealand High Commissioners further confirms Australia's
conviction that he has no intention of allowing a return to
democracy, has marginalized anyone who might disagree with
him and is likely to continue veering towards more irrational
actions. Australia is grateful for the strong U.S. public
opposition to the expulsions and wants to continue
coordinating with us. The Australians are still thinking
through a fuller response and have demarched regional and
select international capitals as well as the UN for official
statements condemning the expulsion. Australia sees the
situation in Fiji as very bleak, and does not currently see a
credible voice within the Fijian government who can reason
with Bainimarama. Additionally, Australia requests that we
double track its message to the UN Secretariat opposing the
appointment of Fijian Colonel Pita Driti as the commander of
the Fiji Guard Unit in Iraq. End Summary.
Proportional, Principled Approach
--------------
2. (C/NF) Richard Rowe, Pacific Division First Assistant
Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT),in a November 6 meeting underscored that Australia
remains committed to its current policy towards Fiji.
Australia believes it has the correct (and moral) long term
policy in place. Rowe said Foreign Minister Smith urged
proportionality when formulating a response. He lamented
that Australia wants to up the pressure on Bainimarama but
cannot find any practical solutions that do not bring more
hardship on the Fijian people. While Australia continues to
search for intermediate steps, it has taken all the formal
short term actions it wants.
Grateful for U.S. Support
--------------
3. (C/NF) The Australians deeply appreciate U.S. support and
Rowe emphasized that they want to continue working closely
with us on Fiji. In addition to Washington, Australian
diplomats have demarched all regional capitals, London, the
EU, Beijing and New Delhi in recent days for statements of
support that denounce the expulsion. Many of the Pacific
islands nations were appalled, Rowe confided, but would not
likely issue public statements. Neither China nor India have
been very helpful according to Rowe.
4. (C/NF) Rowe inquired about current U.S. policy towards
Fiji including our divergent view on the use of Fijian
soldiers in UN peacekeeping missions. Pol/Econ Counselor
stressed that while we understand Australia's position, U.S.
policy remains unchanged. When Rowe pressed, Pol/Econ
Counselor pushed back that replacing the Fijian peacekeepers
would be very difficult, and that we are looking for steps
Qwould be very difficult, and that we are looking for steps
that put pressure on Fiji but are not detrimental to larger
U.S. interests.
Very Bleak Outlook
--------------
5. (C/NF) Australia sees dismal prospects for Fiji. The
expulsion obliterates any small steps Australia may have been
able take towards engaging Bainimarama, generally via lower
level interlocutors. Rowe said neither Australia nor DFAT's
trusted Fiji contacts see anyone within the Fijian government
who could deliver a tough message to Bainimarama, let alone
stand up to him.
CANBERRA 00000993 002.2 OF 002
Request to Demarche UN
--------------
6. (C/NF) Separate but related to the current situation,
Rowe requested that our UN Mission in New York formally call
on the UN Secretariat to oppose the appointment of Fijian
Colonel Pita Driti as the commander of the Fiji Guard Unit in
Iraq. Driti was earlier nominated to be Fijian ambassador to
in Kuala Lumpur but rejected by Malaysia over his human
rights record. Rowe said Australia had already met with UN
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe on
the matter.
CLUNE
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM FJ AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA GRATEFUL FOR U.S. SUPPORT ON FIJI
CANBERRA 00000993 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, for reasons 1
.4 (b),(d)
1. (C/NF) Summary: Deeply frustrated with Fijian strongman
Frank Bainimarama, Australia is determined to maintain its
policy of isolating Fiji while trying to avoid overreacting.
Bainimarama's recent expulsion of the Australian and New
Zealand High Commissioners further confirms Australia's
conviction that he has no intention of allowing a return to
democracy, has marginalized anyone who might disagree with
him and is likely to continue veering towards more irrational
actions. Australia is grateful for the strong U.S. public
opposition to the expulsions and wants to continue
coordinating with us. The Australians are still thinking
through a fuller response and have demarched regional and
select international capitals as well as the UN for official
statements condemning the expulsion. Australia sees the
situation in Fiji as very bleak, and does not currently see a
credible voice within the Fijian government who can reason
with Bainimarama. Additionally, Australia requests that we
double track its message to the UN Secretariat opposing the
appointment of Fijian Colonel Pita Driti as the commander of
the Fiji Guard Unit in Iraq. End Summary.
Proportional, Principled Approach
--------------
2. (C/NF) Richard Rowe, Pacific Division First Assistant
Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT),in a November 6 meeting underscored that Australia
remains committed to its current policy towards Fiji.
Australia believes it has the correct (and moral) long term
policy in place. Rowe said Foreign Minister Smith urged
proportionality when formulating a response. He lamented
that Australia wants to up the pressure on Bainimarama but
cannot find any practical solutions that do not bring more
hardship on the Fijian people. While Australia continues to
search for intermediate steps, it has taken all the formal
short term actions it wants.
Grateful for U.S. Support
--------------
3. (C/NF) The Australians deeply appreciate U.S. support and
Rowe emphasized that they want to continue working closely
with us on Fiji. In addition to Washington, Australian
diplomats have demarched all regional capitals, London, the
EU, Beijing and New Delhi in recent days for statements of
support that denounce the expulsion. Many of the Pacific
islands nations were appalled, Rowe confided, but would not
likely issue public statements. Neither China nor India have
been very helpful according to Rowe.
4. (C/NF) Rowe inquired about current U.S. policy towards
Fiji including our divergent view on the use of Fijian
soldiers in UN peacekeeping missions. Pol/Econ Counselor
stressed that while we understand Australia's position, U.S.
policy remains unchanged. When Rowe pressed, Pol/Econ
Counselor pushed back that replacing the Fijian peacekeepers
would be very difficult, and that we are looking for steps
Qwould be very difficult, and that we are looking for steps
that put pressure on Fiji but are not detrimental to larger
U.S. interests.
Very Bleak Outlook
--------------
5. (C/NF) Australia sees dismal prospects for Fiji. The
expulsion obliterates any small steps Australia may have been
able take towards engaging Bainimarama, generally via lower
level interlocutors. Rowe said neither Australia nor DFAT's
trusted Fiji contacts see anyone within the Fijian government
who could deliver a tough message to Bainimarama, let alone
stand up to him.
CANBERRA 00000993 002.2 OF 002
Request to Demarche UN
--------------
6. (C/NF) Separate but related to the current situation,
Rowe requested that our UN Mission in New York formally call
on the UN Secretariat to oppose the appointment of Fijian
Colonel Pita Driti as the commander of the Fiji Guard Unit in
Iraq. Driti was earlier nominated to be Fijian ambassador to
in Kuala Lumpur but rejected by Malaysia over his human
rights record. Rowe said Australia had already met with UN
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe on
the matter.
CLUNE