Fijileaks: Why are the BUSHMASTERS not based at the Peacekeeping Camp at Black Rock, if they are for UN training purposes? Why were they being driven around the streets of Suva? To INTIMIDATE the PUBLIC? The BUSHMASTERS are strategic asserts that needs approval from the Minister of Defence to deploy outside the QEB, as were the former CRW soldiers. Who approved for the BUSHMASTERS to be taken into Suva? From Fijileaks Archive, 13 January 2017
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"Fiji is fast deteriorating into a police state” - FLP leader Chaudhry FIJI'S Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) youth president Jope Koroisavou has been released by Police without any charges being laid against him. Mr Koroisavou was arrested on Monday this week while protesting during International Day in Support of Victims of Torture at Suva's Sukuna Park. In an interview shortly after his release, the youth activist said he was interrogated for 48 hours. Mr Koroisavou said he was thankful to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for handling the matter professionally and also thanked his supporters for their prayers. His lawyer Aman Ravindra-Singh said the allegation that was put to his client was sedition and he was questioned in relation to the allegation made by Police. "The allegation that was put to my client was sedition and as the Police had made it public, there was a breach of the Public Order Act," Mr Ravindra-Singh said. "I absolutely refute that and Jope was simply exercising his right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom to peaceful assembly and these rights are enshrined in the Constitution.". Source: The Fiji Times, 28 June 2017 From Fijileaks Archive, 18 December 2014: TALKING POINT: VICTOR LAL The Death of Sakiusa Rabaka at Black Rock Following Detention by the RFMF On January 24, 2007, RFMF and police personnel detained four young men, including 19-year old Sakiusa Rabaka, ostensibly for smoking marijuana. They took the men to the Black Rock Military Base, near Nadi, and forced the men to participate in severe exercises, which included multiple beatings. Among many indignities, the soldiers forced one man to perform oral sex on an unconscious co-detainee. The four were dropped off at a police station the following day, where they confessed to their crimes, and then released. Rabaka died as a result of injuries sustained during the assaults. The RFMF attempted to frustrate the criminal investigation into this incident. The army refused to allow the police to interview eight RFMF soldiers suspected of involvement. The police then lost the file, necessitating that much of the investigation be redone. The DPP ultimately charged eight RFMF soldiers and one police officer with murder, at which point the RFMF tried to send them abroad on a UN peacekeeping mission. The attempt was nearly successful, with only a last minute intervention resulting in the accused being asked to de-board a UN chartered airplane at the airport. Following trial, all nine were convicted of manslaughter and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on March 17, 2009 and sentenced to four years, imprisonment. The following RFMF soldiers based at the RFMF,s Black Rock Base in Nadi in February 2007 were convicted: (1) Taione Lua; (2) Ulaiasi Radike; (3) Etonia Nadura; (4) Ratunaisa Toutou; (5) Joeli Lesavua; (6) Jona Nareki; (7) Laisa Kurimavua (8) Napolioni Naulia Patrick Nayacalagilagi, a police officer at the Namaka Police Station in February 2007, was also convicted. US Embassy in Fiji to Washington: Wikileaks |
From The Fiji Times, 26 June 2017 THE people of Fiji should not fear if they see the Bushmaster — an armoured infantry mobility vehicle — used by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) on the road. RFMF chief of staff Colonel Jone Kalouniwai yesterday clarified the three Bushmasters that the military purchased from the Australian Government were not offensive weapons. Col Kalouniwai's explanation followed comments made by National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad that the military should stop intimidating the people by operating the Bushmasters on the streets. Last Friday, social media went viral, clearly showing a Bushmaster being driven on Victoria Parade in Suva, gathering mixed reactions from members of the public. Prof Prasad said pictures showed the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) near the Fiji National Provident Fund Plaza, commonly known as Dolphins and the Suva City Council Library. He said Defence Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola had told Parliament in a ministerial statement that 10 Bushmasters had been purchased from Australia. "Seven were to be deployed in Golan Heights for our peacekeepers and three were being retained in Fiji to be used for training by the military personnel," Prof Prasad said. The NFP leader said any training using the Bushmasters should be confined within military establishments. "They should be strictly used for training by those selected for peacekeeping duties, not by regular forces and driven through the streets. "This is precisely what happened last Friday when a Bushmaster with registration number GQ 488 was being operated in the city." He said the operation raised serious questions on the neutrality of the armed forces. "We clearly saw the military marching in most parts of the country 48 hours before the September 17, 2014 General Election under the pretext of training. |
"This was during a time when there was a blackout enforced on political parties from making statements or campaigning before the day of the polls.
"We raised our concern with the Electoral Commission but our concerns were not addressed.
"Now the military is indulging in the same tactics at least a year away from the election. This must be condemned in the strongest manner."
He said the military should not overstep its role despite its constitutional responsibility.
"Operating an Armoured Personnel Carrier in civilian areas when there is absolute peace and stability and no emergency is not guaranteeing peace and security but instilling fear and uncertainty in our people.
"It is sending a wrong signal. The military must understand that it is subservient to civilian rule.
"We ask, are the three Bushmasters for training or going to be operated in our towns, cities and densely populated areas to show force and intimidate our people?"
He said Fiji was not a war zone and peacekeeping training does not involve using Bushmasters in the full view of civilians and visitors to our country.
Col Kalouniwai said the soldiers were using the Bushmasters on the streets last Friday as it was Infantry Day.
"There is no law that prohibits Bushmasters using the roads in Fiji. There is nothing wrong with that," he said.
Colonel Kalouniwai said the Bushmaster was a protected mobility vehicle used to carry troops - that's all.
"They're not an offensive weapon. There is nothing for them (public) to fear.
"We all know the political hype they (NFP) have and they're just trying to make an issue out of this.
"We were just celebrating Infantry Day and the guys (soldiers) thought it would be a good thing for them to take it out, that's all."
He said the fact remained that the vehicles were bought to be used for peacekeeping and pivotal training and there are only three of them used for training purposes.
"There is no harm in us putting it out on the streets and just driving it around."
Col Kalouniwai said Prof Prasad had wrong idea and wrong perception and should try and get more facts from his party's president, Pio Tikoduadua, on what the Bushmaster really is.
"We raised our concern with the Electoral Commission but our concerns were not addressed.
"Now the military is indulging in the same tactics at least a year away from the election. This must be condemned in the strongest manner."
He said the military should not overstep its role despite its constitutional responsibility.
"Operating an Armoured Personnel Carrier in civilian areas when there is absolute peace and stability and no emergency is not guaranteeing peace and security but instilling fear and uncertainty in our people.
"It is sending a wrong signal. The military must understand that it is subservient to civilian rule.
"We ask, are the three Bushmasters for training or going to be operated in our towns, cities and densely populated areas to show force and intimidate our people?"
He said Fiji was not a war zone and peacekeeping training does not involve using Bushmasters in the full view of civilians and visitors to our country.
Col Kalouniwai said the soldiers were using the Bushmasters on the streets last Friday as it was Infantry Day.
"There is no law that prohibits Bushmasters using the roads in Fiji. There is nothing wrong with that," he said.
Colonel Kalouniwai said the Bushmaster was a protected mobility vehicle used to carry troops - that's all.
"They're not an offensive weapon. There is nothing for them (public) to fear.
"We all know the political hype they (NFP) have and they're just trying to make an issue out of this.
"We were just celebrating Infantry Day and the guys (soldiers) thought it would be a good thing for them to take it out, that's all."
He said the fact remained that the vehicles were bought to be used for peacekeeping and pivotal training and there are only three of them used for training purposes.
"There is no harm in us putting it out on the streets and just driving it around."
Col Kalouniwai said Prof Prasad had wrong idea and wrong perception and should try and get more facts from his party's president, Pio Tikoduadua, on what the Bushmaster really is.
SUVA, Fiji, May 20, 1987 — Mobs of several thousand indigenous Fijians attacked ethnic Indians throughout the capital today, wounding scores in the worst outbreak of ethnic violence this Pacific island group has ever seen. Waves of Fijians ran down the main street of Suva, hurling rocks through windows of passing cars and beating up Indians they encountered. The number of injured was estimated at 150 to 200, including three dozen Indians and two foreign journalists who were hospitalized. ''We haven't ever had scenes like that before in the history of our country,'' said the Agriculture Minister, Jo Nacola. The rioting appeared to reflect support for the army coup last Thursday, which seems to be falling apart. It also reflects the confused situation in Fiji: perhaps there is no government in control, perhaps there are three governments, but there is certainly not just one. Fiji, with almost evenly balanced proportions of ethnic Fijians (47 percent) and ethnic Indians (49 percent) among its 715,000 people, has often been acclaimed as a model of racial harmony. Pope John Paul II said on a visit here late last year that the lack of racial animosity made Fiji ''a symbol of hope for the world.'' But indigenous Fijians often speak bitterly of the economic and political power accumulated by Indians, and that bitterness has increased since elections last month that brought an Indian-dominated Government to power. It was not clear what set off the rioting today. Hundreds of Indians were gathered in the late morning in one park to celebrate the release late Tuesday night of Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra and his Cabinet by coup leaders who had seized them on Thursday. Half a mile away, Fijians were gathering in another park to watch the arrival of their chiefs for a meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs. Suddenly, the Fijians began to run toward where the Indians were gathered. They knocked a young Indian motorcyclist down and beat him as he lay on the ground. They hurled bricks at passing cars and taxis, most of which are owned by Indians, smashing several dozen cars. |
Indian drivers caught in the riot tried to race through the mob, but some were stopped by bricks flying through their windshields. They were pulled out and punched and kicked. One Indian taxi driver tried too late to pull out of his parking space. Several Fijians yanked him from the car, punched and kicked him and emptied his pockets.
An older Indian man was knocked to the ground, and he curled up in a ball as a succession of Fijians kicked him as they ran past. A boy was hurled to the street and kicked in the head several times until blood ran down his face.
No one was reported critically injured, and it often seemed that the attacks, although brutal, were short of murderous. The mobs usually let their bloodied victims run off, or the attackers themselves ran on after landing a few blows.
A few shops were looted, but most stores were already boarded up because of a general strike to protest the coup. Late tonight, downtown Suva was eerie and deserted.
With three rival claims to executive authority in Fiji, it remained unclear who was in command. Lieut. Col. Sitiveni Rabuka, who led the coup, appears to have received backing from the Great Council of Chiefs, and his soldiers remain on the streets.
He has, however, indicated that he recognizes the executive authority of the Governor General, who says he is in charge. And the elected Government of Prime Minister Bavadra said it should be in power, although Dr. Bavadra acceded today to the Governor General's call for new elections to resolve the crisis.
''We really don't know what direction we're moving in,'' Mr. Nacola, the Agriculture Minister, said in an interview on the first day of his release.
''We're still living at the barrel of a gun.''
An older Indian man was knocked to the ground, and he curled up in a ball as a succession of Fijians kicked him as they ran past. A boy was hurled to the street and kicked in the head several times until blood ran down his face.
No one was reported critically injured, and it often seemed that the attacks, although brutal, were short of murderous. The mobs usually let their bloodied victims run off, or the attackers themselves ran on after landing a few blows.
A few shops were looted, but most stores were already boarded up because of a general strike to protest the coup. Late tonight, downtown Suva was eerie and deserted.
With three rival claims to executive authority in Fiji, it remained unclear who was in command. Lieut. Col. Sitiveni Rabuka, who led the coup, appears to have received backing from the Great Council of Chiefs, and his soldiers remain on the streets.
He has, however, indicated that he recognizes the executive authority of the Governor General, who says he is in charge. And the elected Government of Prime Minister Bavadra said it should be in power, although Dr. Bavadra acceded today to the Governor General's call for new elections to resolve the crisis.
''We really don't know what direction we're moving in,'' Mr. Nacola, the Agriculture Minister, said in an interview on the first day of his release.
''We're still living at the barrel of a gun.''
30 YEARS AGO, Sitiveni Rabuka unleashed his soldiers on Indo-Fijians; Now SODELPA have deliberately chosen him to resuscitate old RACISM
Fijileaks: Our sources claim Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Robin Nair was given the option to shape up or ship out after he was heard foul-mouthing Bainimarama to diplomats and refusing to work within his remit as permanent secretary; he opted to RESIGN
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/7/5/13759434/ro-kepa-diwali-photo_1_orig.jpg)
CIVIL servants who have resigned over the past few months have been urged to come out public and make their reasons known.
The call was made by Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa in a statement issued by her office on Friday.
Ro Teimumu said the recent string of resignations by high profile employees from the Government and its agencies was of concern.
"We have had competent locals resign and fade into the background and we have had expatriates resign, fleeing the country," Ro Teimumu said.
She claimed several high ranking government officials had been transferred without any justification.
"Those who have resigned should not fear and come out clean to inform the public what made them resign. It is your moral obligation to do that," she said.
"The Government and its agencies are public institutions funded by taxpayers of this country. They deserve to know the full truth and not half baked truth and fairytales to print an otherwise glossy picture in the name and game of reforms."
Ro Teimumu made the comments following the recent resignations of Fiji Roads Authority CEO John Hutchinson, former Fijian diplomat Robin Nair and Merchant Finance CEO Napolioni Batimala. Source: Fiji Times
The call was made by Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa in a statement issued by her office on Friday.
Ro Teimumu said the recent string of resignations by high profile employees from the Government and its agencies was of concern.
"We have had competent locals resign and fade into the background and we have had expatriates resign, fleeing the country," Ro Teimumu said.
She claimed several high ranking government officials had been transferred without any justification.
"Those who have resigned should not fear and come out clean to inform the public what made them resign. It is your moral obligation to do that," she said.
"The Government and its agencies are public institutions funded by taxpayers of this country. They deserve to know the full truth and not half baked truth and fairytales to print an otherwise glossy picture in the name and game of reforms."
Ro Teimumu made the comments following the recent resignations of Fiji Roads Authority CEO John Hutchinson, former Fijian diplomat Robin Nair and Merchant Finance CEO Napolioni Batimala. Source: Fiji Times
Fijileaks: This is not the first time Robin Nair has fallen foul with the Bainimarama regime; in 2009 he had left in acrimony, prompting VICTOR LAL to pen the following unflattering opinion piece in Fiji Sun, 30/1/2009:
BY VICTOR LAL
30 January 2009
30 January 2009
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S Sulus: Rabuka claimed that he was a lone wolf who carried out the coup but his co-conspirator Inoke Kubuabola contradicted him saying the final decision to mount the coup was "taken in my office at the Bible Society with Rabuka"; we must monitor the Society's activities, now that Rabuka is SODELPA leader, and there are talks that Kubuabola could be offered a SODELPA poll ticket.
GOD HAVE MERCY ON INDO-FIJIANS WHO BECAME THESE TWO'S VICTIMS
A SMALL crowd gathered at the Ratu Sukuna Park this morning to mark the launch of the Bible week organised by the Bible Society of the South Pacific. The launch included Christians from all denominations in the country. Society general secretary Solomoni Duri said the bible society knows the spiritual needs of people and its mission is to make available the scriptures to everyone who wants it. "I think the world especially here in Fiji, it's like going into a big shopping mall, many people are looking for things to satisfy their needs and wants and people cannot find that satisfaction," Mr Duri said. "What we are saying is the things that matter is the needs of the inner man, and the word of God meets that. It (Scriptures) has done that in the past, now and in the future too." Source: The Fiji Times, 24 June 2017
IRONICALLY, Rabuka exploited the political HINDU MOB - the NFP leader Jai Ram Reddy and FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry - to keep himself relevant on the political scene until his election defeat in 1999; they had refused to take heed of Dr Tupeni Baba's warning that "Rabuka's approach at the expense of others will bring instability to Fiji with his unpredictable utterances and demands"; in 1992 Rabuka was desperately seeking NFP and FLP support, to become Prime Minister. In the end it was Chaudhry and his FLP MPs votes that elevated Rabuka to the Prime Ministership in 1992. The HINDU MOB changed sides (for and against) Rabuka in the 1999 election, and in 2017 Chaudhry has changed sides, again, this time siding with SODELPA leader and coupist Rabuka
And another former staunch FLP supporter and businessman, Satish Kumar, crosses over to a NEW party calling itself UNITY. Adi Sivia Qoro, another former FLP Cabinet Minister before the 2006 coup, is now one of the founding members of Unity Fiji party, with Savenaca Narube, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji
From The Fiji Times, Saturday 24 June 2017
NZ backs process
THE New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has expressed confidence that necessary processes were followed when the tender for the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) Election Management System (EMS) was awarded.
The New Zealand Government provided the funding grant to the FEO to procure the system, that was delivered by Pakistan's National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).
But NADRA had come under fire from political parties because of reports their officials allegedly accepted bribes in return for producing fake IDs, some of which were made for suspected terrorists.
"The ministry is aware of the claims relating to the company selected by Fijian Elections Office to supply the system," a spokesperson for the New Zealand High Commission said yesterday
"However, we are confident that the EMS has been delivered in line with the contract process and that New Zealand funding has been used appropriately and for the intended purpose."
Since 2013, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has partnered with the New Zealand Electoral Commission to provide support and capacity development to the Fiji Electoral Commission and Fijian Elections Office. And New Zealand said yesterday this support included provision of $NZ950,000 ($F1.4 million) to design and implement the (EMS), including the purchase of associated hardware and other services.
"Under the contract between MFAT and the Fiji Elections Office, the procurement of the system was undertaken by the Fiji Elections Office under Fiji Government procurement rules," the spokesperson said.
"This included a requirement that the Fijian Elections Office undertake appropriate due diligence of the supplier and the system as part of its procurement process. "
NADRA beat five other companies for the tender and Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said the tender was awarded based on the assessment by the tender board and an evaluation committee.
"A terrorism financing search was also carried out and it was all clear," he said.
Auditor-General Ajay Nand said all concerns raised regarding procurement of the EMS would be considered for the 2017 audit of the Fijian Elections Office.
Yesterday, Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said an audit would not address the issue and the NADRA contract should be terminated.
He said the FLP was worried about fake IDs being used to vote in Fijian elections and of the possible manipulation of the system to rig the election.
NZ backs process
THE New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has expressed confidence that necessary processes were followed when the tender for the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) Election Management System (EMS) was awarded.
The New Zealand Government provided the funding grant to the FEO to procure the system, that was delivered by Pakistan's National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).
But NADRA had come under fire from political parties because of reports their officials allegedly accepted bribes in return for producing fake IDs, some of which were made for suspected terrorists.
"The ministry is aware of the claims relating to the company selected by Fijian Elections Office to supply the system," a spokesperson for the New Zealand High Commission said yesterday
"However, we are confident that the EMS has been delivered in line with the contract process and that New Zealand funding has been used appropriately and for the intended purpose."
Since 2013, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has partnered with the New Zealand Electoral Commission to provide support and capacity development to the Fiji Electoral Commission and Fijian Elections Office. And New Zealand said yesterday this support included provision of $NZ950,000 ($F1.4 million) to design and implement the (EMS), including the purchase of associated hardware and other services.
"Under the contract between MFAT and the Fiji Elections Office, the procurement of the system was undertaken by the Fiji Elections Office under Fiji Government procurement rules," the spokesperson said.
"This included a requirement that the Fijian Elections Office undertake appropriate due diligence of the supplier and the system as part of its procurement process. "
NADRA beat five other companies for the tender and Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said the tender was awarded based on the assessment by the tender board and an evaluation committee.
"A terrorism financing search was also carried out and it was all clear," he said.
Auditor-General Ajay Nand said all concerns raised regarding procurement of the EMS would be considered for the 2017 audit of the Fijian Elections Office.
Yesterday, Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said an audit would not address the issue and the NADRA contract should be terminated.
He said the FLP was worried about fake IDs being used to vote in Fijian elections and of the possible manipulation of the system to rig the election.
Fijileaks: We should be worried about the racist and religious BIGOT Sitiveni Rabuka who might try, AGAIN, to disenfranchise INDO-FIJIANS!
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