Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SUVA196
2009-05-12 05:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Suva
Cable title:
SITIVENI HALAPUA'S PROPOSED ROADMAP
how-toVZCZCXRO2538 RR RUEHAP RUEHKN RUEHMJ RUEHPB DE RUEHSV #0196 1320548 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 120548Z MAY 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY SUVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1238 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2241 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0306 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 1693 RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO 0757 RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 0329 RUEHAP/AMEMBASSY APIA 0261 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0172 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0170 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0423 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS SUVA 000196
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO EAP ACTING A/S DAVIES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREM KDEM FJ
SUBJECT: SITIVENI HALAPUA'S PROPOSED ROADMAP
REF: A) SUVA 189 B) SUVA 186
UNCLAS SUVA 000196
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO EAP ACTING A/S DAVIES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREM KDEM FJ
SUBJECT: SITIVENI HALAPUA'S PROPOSED ROADMAP
REF: A) SUVA 189 B) SUVA 186
1. (SBU) Summary: Acting in his personal capacity, long-time
regional interlocutor Sitiveni Halapua has proposed an alternate
path to democracy to Fiji's de facto government. The proposal
envisions a two-stage dialogue process followed by a constituent
assembly, all conducted outside government control. Despite no
indications that the de facto government wants an early return to
democracy, Halapua hopes the government's desire for domestic and
international credibility, along with Bainimarama's personal desire
to leave a lasting legacy, will prompt the military regime to
abandon its unilateral plans. End summary.
2. (SBU) Ambassador met May 11 with the East-West Center's Sitiveni
Halapua to discuss the latter's recent engagement with Fiji.
Halapua's recent endeavors are not sponsored by the East-West Center
but rather taken on his own accord, apparently at the invitation of
Bainimarama. Following the April 10 abrogation of Fiji's
constitution, Bainimarama tasked long-time civil society activist
Jone Takuvula with coming up with a way forward. According to
Halapua, Takuvula then requested his assistance.
3. (SBU) Fiji's military regime undoubtedly has a very clear plan as
to how they intend to proceed, Halapua said. Whatever the
specifics, this plan is almost certainly unacceptable to both
internal political leaders and the international community. Halapua
and Takuvula hope their proposed alternative would be acceptable to
the military regime and palatable to these groups. Asked what
incentive Bainimarama has to deviate from its current plan, Halapua
said that somewhere down the line Fiji will again have a sitting
parliament. This parliament may or may not endorse what Bainimarama
and his government have done. If Bainimarama believes that pursing
this alternative path makes it more likely a parliament will endorse
his actions, that's the incentive. Halapua believes Bainimarama is
very concerned about his legacy and inclined towards anything he
perceives as enhancing or enlarging his legacy.
4. (SBU) The alternate plan proposes an independent process outside
the government's control. During the first phase, stakeholders
(political leaders and international NGOs) would meet to discuss a
framework and agenda for the formal dialogue. The second phase
would be a formal dialogue, arriving at rough outlines of what
Fiji's new constitution will look like. The final stage would be a
constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. The entire
process could take place by 2011. The proposal has been received by
both Bainimarama and de facto attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Accordingly to Halapua, both will meet with Takuvula in the near
term to discuss the proposal. The ambassador noted that the
timeframe is not inconsistent from that noted by former PM Qarase
and Mahendra Chaudhry, as reported ref. A and B.
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) While Halapua's efforts are laudable, Bainimarama would not
be willing to meet with Qarase and other political leaders. Fiji's
de facto government has not shown any interest in gaining some
semblance of international credibility.
MCGANN
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO EAP ACTING A/S DAVIES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREM KDEM FJ
SUBJECT: SITIVENI HALAPUA'S PROPOSED ROADMAP
REF: A) SUVA 189 B) SUVA 186
1. (SBU) Summary: Acting in his personal capacity, long-time
regional interlocutor Sitiveni Halapua has proposed an alternate
path to democracy to Fiji's de facto government. The proposal
envisions a two-stage dialogue process followed by a constituent
assembly, all conducted outside government control. Despite no
indications that the de facto government wants an early return to
democracy, Halapua hopes the government's desire for domestic and
international credibility, along with Bainimarama's personal desire
to leave a lasting legacy, will prompt the military regime to
abandon its unilateral plans. End summary.
2. (SBU) Ambassador met May 11 with the East-West Center's Sitiveni
Halapua to discuss the latter's recent engagement with Fiji.
Halapua's recent endeavors are not sponsored by the East-West Center
but rather taken on his own accord, apparently at the invitation of
Bainimarama. Following the April 10 abrogation of Fiji's
constitution, Bainimarama tasked long-time civil society activist
Jone Takuvula with coming up with a way forward. According to
Halapua, Takuvula then requested his assistance.
3. (SBU) Fiji's military regime undoubtedly has a very clear plan as
to how they intend to proceed, Halapua said. Whatever the
specifics, this plan is almost certainly unacceptable to both
internal political leaders and the international community. Halapua
and Takuvula hope their proposed alternative would be acceptable to
the military regime and palatable to these groups. Asked what
incentive Bainimarama has to deviate from its current plan, Halapua
said that somewhere down the line Fiji will again have a sitting
parliament. This parliament may or may not endorse what Bainimarama
and his government have done. If Bainimarama believes that pursing
this alternative path makes it more likely a parliament will endorse
his actions, that's the incentive. Halapua believes Bainimarama is
very concerned about his legacy and inclined towards anything he
perceives as enhancing or enlarging his legacy.
4. (SBU) The alternate plan proposes an independent process outside
the government's control. During the first phase, stakeholders
(political leaders and international NGOs) would meet to discuss a
framework and agenda for the formal dialogue. The second phase
would be a formal dialogue, arriving at rough outlines of what
Fiji's new constitution will look like. The final stage would be a
constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. The entire
process could take place by 2011. The proposal has been received by
both Bainimarama and de facto attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Accordingly to Halapua, both will meet with Takuvula in the near
term to discuss the proposal. The ambassador noted that the
timeframe is not inconsistent from that noted by former PM Qarase
and Mahendra Chaudhry, as reported ref. A and B.
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) While Halapua's efforts are laudable, Bainimarama would not
be willing to meet with Qarase and other political leaders. Fiji's
de facto government has not shown any interest in gaining some
semblance of international credibility.
MCGANN