NationStates Jolt Archive

Bainimarama has announced that the country will return to democratic rule in 2010.


Commodore Frank Bainimarama said he hoped to improve Fiji's economy and put in place all the necessary measures for a free and fair election by then.

[...]

Cmdr Bainimarama installed an interim government and made himself prime minister after leading a bloodless coup against the elected government on 5 December.

He said he was compelled to act as corruption and racism against Fiji's ethnic Indian minority was flourishing under Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase

However, the coup has faced opposition both at home and abroad, with economic, diplomatic and defence sanctions imposed by Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States.


The 2006 coup was different in that - Bainimarama claims - it was done to oppose anti-Indo-Fijian racism, whereas the two 1987 coups and the 2000 coup took place (mainly) to kick Indo-Fijians out of government and install ethnic Fijian supremacy. Bainimarama was one of those who fought against the 2000 coup, and another reason stated for the 2006 coup was to prevent an amnesty being handed to those involved in the 2000 coup.

For those who need a bit of background, the two major ethnic groups in Fiji are indigenous Fijians (just over 50%), and Indo-Fijians (about 34% at last count, I think), descendants of Indian labourers brought to Fiji by the British to work on plantations during colonial rule. (Other ethnic minorities include people of European and Chinese descent.)

BUMP, in case anyone's interested...

For those who need a bit of background, the two major ethnic groups in Fiji are indigenous Fijians (just over 50%), and Indo-Fijians (about 34% at last count, I think), descendants of Indian labourers brought to Fiji by the British to work on plantations during colonial rule. (Other ethnic minorities include people of European and Chinese descent.)
Ah, good ol' imperialism, no matter how long over it is, it is still around fucking stuff in the ass.

Yes, that's led to a bit of a mess. If you can call four coups in nine years a "bit" of a mess.

US to restore democracy in 2008. Maybe.

why can't Fiji restore democracy in 2007, it's such a small country :confused:

why can't Fiji restore democracy in 2007, it's such a small country :confused:

Now, now, we can't rush into these things, we have to make sure that conditions are right for replanting the precious and delicate flower of liberty.

:rolleyes:

Godless communist heathens!!!!

Commence nuclear testing forthwith!

why can't Fiji restore democracy in 2007, it's such a small country :confused:

they don't seem to be very good at it, at least on the tyranny by (slight) majority front

I think the acting prime minister has allot of work ahead and as of yet I haven’t found any real plan on how to achieve a sense of unity with a clock ticking and a problem getting worse by the minuet

they don't seem to be very good at it, at least on the tyranny by (slight) majority front

I think the acting prime minister has allot of work ahead and as of yet I haven’t found any real plan on how to achieve a sense of unity with a clock ticking and a problem getting worse by the minuet

Indeed. Trying to build a sense of national unity has been a problem in Fiji for many years.

why can't Fiji restore democracy in 2007, it's such a small country :confused:

I wouldn't, if I was in the position of the current leader of Fiji. You can't just try to turn it into a democracy overnight; we know that all too well from Iraq. The idea is to try to unify the country and to introduce democratic reforms slowly over the couple years, then set up and hold elections a few years after the initial coup and voluntarily step down from office and refuse to run for any government office ever again.

...

It's how I would do it, anyway.

Yes, that's led to a bit of a mess. If you can call four coups in nine years a "bit" of a mess.

IIRC, Benin had six in its first decade of independence.

It's a joke. This has nothing to do with ethnic groups. It's all about the military not wanting to gets its people in trouble for corruption.

why can't Fiji restore democracy in 2007, it's such a small country :confused:

They don't want to seem like they're one-upping the US.

:D

IIRC, Benin had six in its first decade of independence.

And Nigeria has been under civilian rule for only 11 of its 43 years of independence.

It would be good for Fiji to go back to democracy, however, I have the feeling that it will not remain for long. Also, it was not just ethnic rights that caused the coup, there were also several economic issues; chief of them being that the native Fijians would get possession of the foreshore - it was feared that this would cause tourist numbers to slump.

However, bloodless coups are always good, since I can go on holiday on the cheap and get halfway decent service.

And Nigeria has been under civilian rule for only 11 of its 43 years of independence.

Mhm.

(Although, it's actually been independent longer than that. It became independent in 1960. ;))

It's a joke. This has nothing to do with ethnic groups. It's all about the military not wanting to gets its people in trouble for corruption.

I haven't heard any allegations of corruption in the military. On the other hand, Bainimarama did claim that Qarase's government was corrupt (and racist). Where did you read about corruption in the military?

US to restore democracy in 2008. Maybe.

I laughed.

I laughed.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l270/karenrofl/lolowl.jpg

I smell a massive scale invasion.

Grenada '07 anyone?

I smell a massive scale invasion.


Invading Fiji? No. Not going to happen.

Why would anyone invade Fiji?

I haven't heard any allegations of corruption in the military. On the other hand, Bainimarama did claim that Qarase's government was corrupt (and racist). Where did you read about corruption in the military?
I'm getting my islands mixed up. Nonetheless, I have no sympathy whatsoever for Bainimarama.
He didn't want his enemies released from prison, and that's why he overthrew the government and established a dictatorship with him at the top.

And Nigeria has been under civilian rule for only 11 of its 43 years of independence.

Haiti averages a coup every six years (32 in 204 years of independence).

Haiti averages a coup every six years (32 in 204 years of independence).

Source?

According to Guinness Book of World Records, Bolivia's had the highest number of coups. I don't remember the number, but it was under 30. Of course, I could be mistaken, in which case, I'll readily admit it.

Source?

According to Guinness Book of World Records, Bolivia's had the highest number of coups. I don't remember the number, but it was under 30. Of course, I could be mistaken, in which case, I'll readily admit it.

This one says 32:
32 (http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_haiti_030604,00.html)

This one says "more than 30":
More than 30 (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-03-02-haiti-phillipe_x.htm)

Doctors Without Borders says 35:
35 (http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/voices/2004/03-2004_haiti.htm)

This one says 72:
72 (http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=193)

32 seems to be the consensus though. I just don't feel like linking every site tha tpops up. Google "number of coups in Haiti" and you'll get tons of into.

why give up power they just take over some years later

This one says 32:
32 (http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_haiti_030604,00.html)

This one says "more than 30":
More than 30 (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-03-02-haiti-phillipe_x.htm)

Doctors Without Borders says 35:
35 (http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/voices/2004/03-2004_haiti.htm)

This one says 72:
72 (http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=193)

32 seems to be the consensus though. I just don't feel like linking every site tha tpops up. Google "number of coups in Haiti" and you'll get tons of into.

Thank you. :)

I stand corrected. :p

Bainimarama has announced that the country will return to democratic rule in 2010.


I will restore my respect for Fiji in 2010.

I'm getting my islands mixed up. Nonetheless, I have no sympathy whatsoever for Bainimarama.
He didn't want his enemies released from prison, and that's why he overthrew the government and established a dictatorship with him at the top.

True. He's said that Qarase has not done enough to bring those behind the 2000 to justice, and opposed a proposed amnesty bill (even though Qarase promised to back down on that issue).

Just before the coup, Bainimarama and Qarase accused each other of causing inter-ethnic tension. Bainimarama (who's an indigenous Fijian) accused Qarase (also an indigenous Fijian) of favouring indigenous Fijians and of discriminating against Indo-Fijians. Qarase (in a declaration on November 22nd last) accused Bainimarama of causing the "racial gulf" to widen, and added (an inflammatory accusation, in my view, especially when he simultaneously accuses Bainimarama of stirring ethnic tension!) that a "majority" of Indian Fijians seemed to support the perspective of a coup, while a majority of indigenous Fijians supported the government.

If Bainimarama is telling the truth - namely, that he wants a more equitable form of democracy, which won't lead to ethnic discrimination - is his coup justifiable?

It's interesting that, in the three previous coup, indigenous nationalists have been the ones questioning the validity of democracy in Fiji, claiming that democracy gave too much power to Indo-Fijians. Now, you have the reverse situation, with Bainimarama claiming that democracy had led to discrimination against Indo-Fijians.

If you want a direct source:


Cabinet today approved the ‘Road Map’ for the return to parliamentary democracy.

Under this ‘Road Map’, Fiji will be ready for a general election and full restoration of parliamentary democracy as early as 2010.

[...]

The review of the 1997 Constitution and the fight against corruption will be carried out in tandem with the ‘Road Map’ for the return to parliamentary democracy.

We intend to do the necessary preparatory work for the review of the Constitution Amendment Act of 1997.

In particular, we want to rid the Constitution of provisions that facilitate and exacerbate the politics of race.

This is embedded in such areas as the registration of voters and the election of representatives to the House of Representatives through separate racial electoral rolls.

This will also necessitate the abolition of voting in terms of racial classifications. Henceforth, each voter should vote for a candidate of his/her choice in a common roll, with each vote having equal value.

In proposing the amendments to the Constitution, we are mindful of the requirements of Section 191 which says that any amendment can only be introduced by way of a Bill to the House of Representatives through the procedures spelt out in that section.”


(Source: Fiji government website (http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_8402.shtml))

And if you want to know what Bainimarama said when he announced the coup, I jotted down his speech when it was shown on BBC, on December 5th last:


“[Reference to Fiji’s ‘constitutional democracy’] […] As of 6 o’clock this evening, the military has taken over the government, has the executive authority [?] and the running of this country. […] [inaudible] over the years [inaudible] regular concerns with the government, in particular the introduction of controversial bills, and policies which have divided the nation now and will have very serious consequences for our future generations. These concerns have been conveyed to the Prime Minister in all fairness and sincerity, with our country’s interests at heart. […] All my efforts to the government were to no avail. […]

Qarase has already conducted a silent coup, through bribery, corruption and the introduction of controversial bills. […] This Constitution allows His Excellency [the President] to sack the Prime Minister in cases such as these. However, the stalemate has forced me to step forward, and the military has taken over government.

The RFMF [Republic of Fiji Military Force] throughout this impasse has sought to resolve this matter constitutionally, legally and expeditiously. The RFMF could have carried out unconstitutional and illegal activities, but has not done so, and will not do so. It believes in the rule of law, and shall adhere to the Constitution. [… It also,] more importantly, believes in adherence to the spirit of the law, and the Constitution. Our position can be differentiated from the Qarase government which, for example, through the passing of the Reconciliation, [inaudible – QoliQoli?] and Land Claims will undermine the Constitution and deprive many citizens of their rights, guarenteed under the Constitution and compromise and undermine the integrity of the Constitutional offices, including the judiciary. […]

[The President’s powers to dismiss the Prime Minister due to “exceptional circumstances] are sometimes refered to as ‘reserve powers’, which have been exercised in Fiji previously and other Commonwealth jurisdictions, including Australia by Governor-General General [sic] Kerr. Kerr as you all know sacked Prime Minister Whitlam. [References to court decisions confirming the President’s authority.] […] The President is supported by some, including the Vice-President, who are putting undue pressure on him. […]

Accordingly, given […] the need to resolve the current crisis, the need to invigorate the economy, the need to normalise the state of affairs, the need to maintain the Constitution, the need to maintain law and order, and recognising that the President has been prevented […] from exercising his Constitutional prerogative […], as commander of the RFMF, I, under the legal doctrine of necessity, will step into the shoes of the President.”

Bump

Invading Fiji? No. Not going to happen.

Why would anyone invade Fiji?

To stop Truman Burbank from getting there?
That Christof will do anything...

Bainimarama's statement on the future of the country and on his policies, four days ago.

Most notably, he wants to change the electoral system, so that people will now vote as citizens of Fiji, and not as members of this or that ethnic group. At present, a citizen of Fiji adds him- or herself to an ethnic roll in order to vote as an indigenous Fijian, as an Indian or as an "Other" (European, Chinese, etc...).

Bainimarama, who's an indigenous Fijian himself, has presented himself as the defender of the Indian minority against discrimination. In 2000 he stopped a coup which had removed Indo-Fijian PM Chaudry from power. And he's accused Qarase of discriminating against Indians. (Qarase, for his part, once stated that the Constitution gave too few privileges to indigenous Fijians.)


Cabinet today approved the ‘Road Map’ for the return to parliamentary democracy.

Under this ‘Road Map’, Fiji will be ready for a general election and full restoration of parliamentary democracy as early as 2010.

[...]

The precarious state of the nation’s finance will be improved and an alternative Budget will be implemented from March 2007.

This Budget will be aimed at stabilising the nation’s finances and ensuring that the national deficit stays within 2% of GDP, in order for the national debt to remain sustainable.

We will resolve the land-lease issue. We will also expand the economy in order to create more jobs for our people, provide them with better income and opportunities, and reduce poverty.

[...]

In particular, we want to rid the Constitution of provisions that facilitate and exacerbate the politics of race.

This is embedded in such areas as the registration of voters and the election of representatives to the House of Representatives through separate racial electoral rolls.

This will also necessitate the abolition of voting in terms of racial classifications. Henceforth, each voter should vote for a candidate of his/her choice in a common roll, with each vote having equal value.

[...]

As you know, the Interim Government is in the process of setting up an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Preparatory work for this has commenced with the setting up of an Investigation Unit.

The Interim Government has pursued the clean-up campaign in a number of avenues to rid the country of corruption.

(Source: Fiji government website (http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_8402.shtml))

In 2005, Qarase (the Prime Minister overthrown by the coup in December 2006) said this:


"The country won't enjoy stability and hence peace, progress and prosperity unless [indigenous] Fijians remain on top politically. That is the way it is in Fiji. It will remain so until indigenous Fijians feel confident about their place in a land where they are now nearly 54 percent of the population, having recovered from a minority position"

(Source (http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2006/August/tcp-fiji.htm))

Thoughts? Comments? Is what Qarase said justifiable? His government had been implementing "affirmative action" to privilege indigenous Fijians over Indo-Fijians and others in the economic field (one of the reasons why Bainimarama accused him of being a racist). Was Bainimarama justified in opposing him? Or was Qarase right?

The international community (Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, the UN, the EU...) all condemned the coup and called for a return to democracy. But Qarase himself is not exactly a firm proponent of democracy, since he is an advocate of indigenous political supremacy. However, he was democratically elected, and he did not try to implement political policies that would take Fiji back to the days (1987-1997) of indigenous political supremacy.

Considering all of that... What are your views on the issue?

Bainimarama has announced that the country will return to democratic rule in 2010.



The 2006 coup was different in that - Bainimarama claims - it was done to oppose anti-Indo-Fijian racism, whereas the two 1987 coups and the 2000 coup took place (mainly) to kick Indo-Fijians out of government and install ethnic Fijian supremacy. Bainimarama was one of those who fought against the 2000 coup, and another reason stated for the 2006 coup was to prevent an amnesty being handed to those involved in the 2000 coup.

For those who need a bit of background, the two major ethnic groups in Fiji are indigenous Fijians (just over 50%), and Indo-Fijians (about 34% at last count, I think), descendants of Indian labourers brought to Fiji by the British to work on plantations during colonial rule. (Other ethnic minorities include people of European and Chinese descent.)
There has to be a way to somehow pin this on the former European colonial powers. Ideas anyone?

Ohoh. How about that randomly drawing border stuff? Very popular when it concerns Africa.

There has to be a way to somehow pin this on the former European colonial powers. Ideas anyone?

Ohoh. How about that randomly drawing border stuff? Very popular when it concerns Africa.

Fiji has no borders with other countries (for obvious reasons).

But Britain (the former colonial power) did play an obvious and unquestionable role in this mess by bringing in thousands and thousands of indentured Indian labourers in the late 19th and early 20th century. By the middle of the 20th century, Indo-Fijians were a majority of the population, and they remained so until many of them fled in the aftermath of the two 1987 coups.

The first three coups (1987, 1987 and 2000) were due to indigenous nationalists claiming that indigenous Fijians should have political supremacy. They rejected democracy, saying that it gave power to the Indians.

Fijian politics are strongly marked by ethnic issues. You vote (in part) as a member of an ethnic group (on the "indigenous roll", the "Indian roll" or the "others roll"), which is, I think, more or less unique in the world today. And that's a legacy of colonialism.

The British colonial authorities had the admirable aim of "protecting" indigenous Fijians, not wanting to repeat the mistakes made in New Zealand against the Maori. This, unfortunately, led to the Brits segregating the Indians from the ethnic Fijians. Even still today, there's little inter-marriage between indigenous Fijians and Indian Fijians. By contrast, there are significant levels of inter-marriage between indigenous Fijians and Chinese Fijians, in great part because the British never segregated the Chinese in Fiji.

Fiji has no borders with other countries (for obvious reasons).
Are you sure? Couldn't we just say the British turned the Fijis into islands? Whereas before becoming a colony it was landlocked with India?

But Britain (the former colonial power) did play an obvious and unquestionable role in this mess by bringing in thousands and thousands of indentured Indian labourers in the late 19th and early 20th century. By the middle of the 20th century, Indo-Fijians were a majority of the population, and they remained so until many of them fled in the aftermath of the two 1987 coups.

The first three coups (1987, 1987 and 2000) were due to indigenous nationalists claiming that indigenous Fijians should have political supremacy. They rejected democracy, saying that it gave power to the Indians.

Fijian politics are strongly marked by ethnic issues. You vote (in part) as a member of an ethnic group (on the "indigenous roll", the "Indian roll" or the "others roll"), which is, I think, more or less unique in the world today. And that's a legacy of colonialism.

The British colonial authorities had the admirable aim of "protecting" indigenous Fijians, not wanting to repeat the mistakes made in New Zealand against the Maori. This, unfortunately, led to the Brits segregating the Indians from the ethnic Fijians. Even still today, there's little inter-marriage between indigenous Fijians and Indian Fijians. By contrast, there are significant levels of inter-marriage between indigenous Fijians and Chinese Fijians, in great part because the British never segregated the Chinese in Fiji.
Ah well. This will just have to do. The British importing a foreign group causes strife. Wait a sec. We can't use that. That doesn't fit the fluffy bunny multi cultist one world doctrin. You know the one, where only crackers make a fuzz about stuff like this.

Ah well. This will just have to do. The British importing a foreign group causes strife. Wait a sec. We can't use that. That doesn't fit the fluffy bunny multi cultist one world doctrin. You know the one, where only crackers make a fuzz about stuff like this.

The issue is a very complex one. The fact that the presence of Indo-Fijians has led to indigenous resentment, racist violence against Indians, and several coups, is undeniable. Saying that doesn't mean you can blame the Indians for being there.

The issue is a very complex one. The fact that the presence of Indo-Fijians has led to indigenous resentment, racist violence against Indians, and several coups, is undeniable. Saying that doesn't mean you can blame the Indians for being there.
No. We need to blame the crackers for that. If they hadn't brought the Indians there....Ah dang. Still doesn't sound good enough. Are the Indigenous Fijians perhaps white enough to take all the blame?

No. We need to blame the crackers for that. If they hadn't brought the Indians there....Ah dang. Still doesn't sound good enough. Are the Indigenous Fijians perhaps white enough to take all the blame?

Indigenous Fijians are Melanesian. Brown-skinned.

Laisenia Qarase, the overthrown Prime Minister:
http://www.worldpress.org/images/20060521-laisenia-qarase.jpg

Voreqe Bainimarama, the man who overthrew him (also an indigenous Fijian):
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/12/03/bainimarama_wideweb__470x351,0.jpg

Indigenous Fijians are Melanesian. Brown-skinned.

Laisenia Qarase, the overthrown Prime Minister:
http://www.worldpress.org/images/20060521-laisenia-qarase.jpg

Voreqe Bainimarama, the man who overthrew him (also an indigenous Fijian):
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/12/03/bainimarama_wideweb__470x351,0.jpg

Hotdamn!!! Hmmm...oh. Heres another idea. We could claim that MI-6 was behind the coups. All of them. We couldn't proove it off course but it will at least shift the blame towards the white cracker sons of bitches. We can always say that Fiji has considerable oil reserves, yeah I know corny but it should do the trick, of which only the British government has knowledge.

Ariddia, you and your horizon-widening insights could pretty much run a Pacific Affairs forum all on your lonesome :D

And 2010? I say that he's stalling, if he really wanted to he could have started getting the country sorted out as soon as he took power. He's clearly just in it for the power.

Ariddia, you and your horizon-widening insights could pretty much run a Pacific Affairs forum all on your lonesome :D


Thank you. ;) I really do need to catch up on what's happening in the Solomons, though...


And 2010? I say that he's stalling, if he really wanted to he could have started getting the country sorted out as soon as he took power. He's clearly just in it for the power.

The rest of the region (via the Pacific Forum) says Fiji can return to democracy by 2008. So they appear to think he's stalling, too.

Having said that, he's not been entirely idle. He's (allegedly) preparing a commission to review the Constitution and replace ethnic voting by a common roll, and he's (conveniently) been digging up all the dirt he can find on corruption in Qarase's government. ;)

In fairness, Bainimarama did stand up against racism within his own ethnic group in 2000 (and almost got himself killed for it, which he's still holding quite a grudge for, it seems...). So I wouldn't say he's without principles. But that doesn't mean he's not enjoying the power and hoping to hold on to it for as long as possible, of course...