FIJI METHODIST LEADERS ARRESTED OVER PLANNING TO HOLD

UNCLAS SUVA 000303


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL FJ KDEM PINR

SUBJECT: FIJI METHODIST LEADERS ARRESTED OVER PLANNING TO HOLD
BANNED ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING

REF: A) Suva 00294 B) Suva 152



1. Summary: Fiji's influential Methodist Church which claims to be
the largest denomination with 270,000 members decided to defy
Bainimarama's regime and continue to make plans to convene its
annual conference from August 30-Sept 4, 2009. Police are
questioning 9 senior church officials after the church standing
committee decided July 17 to go ahead with the conference despite a
ban by the regime. The Methodist Church, previously thought to lack
resolve, apparently is prepared to mobilize its flock over a core
issue - its own financial solvency. This situation might become the
first major political challenge to Bainimarama's government. End
summary.

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Pastors Determined to Hold Conference
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2. A Methodist Church delegation of senior reverends formally
informed the head of Rewa Province, former SDL Minister and high
Chief Ro Teimumu Kepa on Sunday July 19, that its annual conference
is to go ahead. The annual conference also is the largest fund
raising event for Church programs. On May 28, the regime told the
Methodist Church and the nation that its 2009 Annual conference
would not be held. In several meetings in June and early July, the
last such was July 13, Methodist Church President Rev Ame Tugaue
appealed personally to de facto Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to
lift the ban. Despite the detention of the 9 senior officials today,
contacts say the Church is determined to press on and has
contingency plans to replace detained leaders in succession.

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Nine Senior Officials Detained by Police
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3. The nine senior officials currently detained by Police Criminal
Investigation Department (CID) are the General Secretary Rev
Tuikilakila Waqairatu, his deputy Rev Tevita Nawadra, Rev Apete Toko
- head of Mens Ministry, Rev Ilisoni Vunisuwai - head of the
Evangelical Department, Rev Simione Koli - Divisional
Superintendent, Suva, Rev Josefa Katonibau - Head of the
Education/Schools Dept, Rev William Lucas - Head of the Indian
Division, Biu Gonelevu - Senior Accountant and the Secretary of the
Trust accounts of the Church a Livai Tuisaravere.

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Support of the Traditional Hierarchy
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4. The paramount chief of Rewa Province, which is hosting the
conference, Ro Teimumu Kepa made an official statement today
confirming Rewa's intention to host the conference and calling for
calm and non-violent action. Knowing her statement would not be
publicized in the local media, it was made available to Fiji's
largest social networking website www.matavuvale.com which has over
11,000 members worldwide. Kepa called on the people of Rewa to
remain steadfast and that their agreement with the Methodist Church
was to stand. Kepa acknowledged the support of other high chiefs, in
particular a high chief of Kubuna confederacy, who accompanied the
Methodist delegation. Kepa herself heads the Burebasaga confederacy
while the head of the third confederacy, former SDL Lands/Fijian
Affairs Minister Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, reportedly sent a message
to all the chiefs of his province, to support Rewa and the Methodist
church.


5. Comment: Given the resolve of the Methodist Church and its
parishioners to openly defy the ban on the conference, the regime
may resort to closing church offices and freezing its accounts and
finances. The Methodist Church, previously thought to lack resolve,
apparently is prepared to mobilize its flock over a core issue - its
own financial solvency. This situation might become the first major
political challenge to Bainimarama's government. End Comment.

MCGANN