Political Reviews

The Region in Review: International Issues and Events, 2011 nic maclellan

Melanesia in Review: Issues and Events, 2011 david chappell, jon fraenkel, gordon leua nanau, howard van trease, muridan s widjojo

The Contemporary Pacic, Volume 24, Number 2, 359–431 © 2012 by University of Hawai‘i Press

359 Melanesia in Review: Issues and Events, 2011

Review of Papua New Guinea not top-level schisms. Two of the most included in this issue. senior officers in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces—Land Forces Com- Fiji mander Brigadier General Pita Driti The year 2011 was the first since the and Third Battalion, Fiji Infantry December 2006 coup to occur with- Regiment Commander Roko Tevita out a major political crisis in Fiji. In Uluilakeba Mara—had been, without every previous year, the regime faced official explanation, told to use up stiff tests that potentially threatened outstanding leave in October 2010. its very survival: public sector strikes In February 2011, they were replaced in 2007, the rupture with Mahendra in their substantive positions, respec- Chaudhry’s Fiji Labour Party in 2008, tively, by Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga a ruling on the unconstitutionality of and Lieutenant Colonel Jone Logavatu the government followed by the abro- Kalouniwai. Tevita Mara, the young- gation of the constitution in 2009, est son of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese and schisms among the military top Mara, Fiji’s former president, had command in late 2010. By contrast, until 2008 been a strong backer of 2011 passed without major domestic the 2006 coup and a loyal ally of challenges, although harassment of Bainimarama. He was the officer trade unionists, the Essential National who urged the military’s case at Fiji’s Industries (Employment) Decree Great Council of Chiefs at the time 2011, and cuts in pensions encour- of the December 2006 coup, and aged a significant reconfiguration and he later carried out a mini-coup to internationalization of the opposition. secure for himself chairmanship of Fueled by the silencing of domestic the Lau Provincial Council. In 2010, critics, the foreign sympathizers of the he had been overheard denouncing Frank Bainimarama–led government the regime while overseas, in transit became more outspoken but care- through South Korea, and the matter fully couched their urging of overseas was reported back to Bainimarama. “reengagement” as a sensible strategy Mara and Driti were brought before for protecting Australia’s sphere of the Suva Magistrates Court in May influence from Chinese encroachment. 2011 on charges of sedition and incite- By the end of the year, the Fiji interim ment to mutiny, but they were released government had hired Washington on bail. Coming close on the heels of dc–based spin-doctoring firm Qorvis the November 2010 resignation of to bombard the world’s media with Defence Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau, positive news stories about Fiji. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara’s son-in-law, The fifth year since the 2006 the new dismissals signaled a broader coup initially commenced, as 2010 breach with a once-powerful dynasty. had finished, with more signs of Yet the president, Ratu Epeli Naila-

377 378 the contemporary pacific • 24:2 (2012) tikau—who like Ganilau is married tion were subtler. Economist Wadan to one of Ratu Mara’s daughters— Narsey, one of the few coup opponents remained at his post. Rumors spread to continue to publicly denounce the of an impending showdown, which regime, was terminated from his post even extended to draft presidential at the University of the South Pacific decrees dismissing the prime minister, after a government threat to withdraw circulated on the feverishly anti-Baini- funding to the regional ­institution marama weblogs. (rnzi, 19 Aug 2011). Repression Nailatikau’s predecessor as presi- drove protest underground. In August, dent, Tui Vuda Ratu Josefa Iloilo, the clandestine “Viti Revolutionary died in February, and was given a Forces” was scrawling anti-regime full state funeral in recognition of his graffiti across the capital and setting almost consistent willingness to follow fire to remote bus shelters. Later in the a script written for him by military year, villagers in Namosi openly pro- ­officers. Traditional presentations tested against the planned Newcrest (i-reguregu) honoring Ratu Iloilo at mining project, but with placards cau- Vuda were made by both Bainima- tiously indicating that the message was rama and his senior military officers “pro-government” but “anti-mining” as well as by their arch-adversary, (PNG Mine Watch 2012). Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalaba- The Methodist Church had been lavu, whose family is closely tied to prohibited from holding its annual that of Ratu Josefa (FijiLive, 15 Feb meeting in 2009 and 2010, but in 2011). This was one of many events, 2011 the conference was scheduled to as required by protocol in Fiji soci- go ahead in August. Military spokes- ety, during which fierce opponents man Lieutenant Colonel Neumi came together in ceremonial contexts, Leweni insisted that church lead- despite the bitterness occasioned by ers take the opportunity to address the 2006 coup and its aftermath. “anomalies within its hierarchy” (Fiji Bainimarama’s indigenous oppo- Times, 12 Aug 2011). Despite harass- nents were less vociferous in 2011 ment by soldiers at the Queen Eliza- than in earlier years, but tensions beth Barracks, church leaders refused still festered just beneath the surface. to comply with demands that the In February and again in March, agenda for the conference include the international human rights watchdog removal of General Secretary Tui- Amnesty International reported that kilakila Waqairatu and President Ame “the human rights situation in Fiji is Tugaue. As a result, the three-day con- worsening,” pointing to a new spate vention was reduced to a single day of arbitrary detentions and beatings and the choir and soli (fund-raising) of trade unionists, politicians, and competition canceled. Land Forces youth activists (Amnesty Interna- Commander Mosese Tikoitoga said tional 2011). Sam Speight, brother at a press briefing that some ministers of 2000 coup leader George Speight, were “disrupting the forward move- was badly beaten for distributing a ment of the church” while others were video denouncing Bainimarama’s “working very hard to bridge this government. Other forms of intimida- gap” (Fiji Times, 24 Aug 2011). At political reviews • melanesia 379 the scaled-down gathering, Waqairatu (rnzi, 25 May 2011). Samoan Prime and Tugaue were reelected, signaling Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi that Bainimarama’s triumph was not said in jest that Commodore Baini- yet complete, despite all the carefully marama should be grateful to Tonga choreographed apologies for past for rescuing at sea his senior army resistance he was able to obtain across officer: “Perhaps that’s what happens rural Fiji. when their admiral spends all his time In May, Tevita Mara dramati- in politics leaving the navy headless” cally escaped from Fiji to Tonga. He (Malielegaoi 2011). Tuilaepa said claimed—unconvincingly but pre- it was all a “Togafiti,” a squabble sumably to protect the identities of between friends, fully understood those who had assisted—that he had only by those few who knew that been out fishing in waters off Kadavu in Samoan “Togafiti” also means a but had run into difficulties near the sneaky trick. island of Ono-i-Lau, where he had by Now possessing a Tongan passport, chance been picked up by a patrolling Mara traveled to Australia, allowed Tongan naval vessel. He was taken to to enter despite travel bans against the Tongan capital, Nuku‘alofa, and senior Fiji military officers because— placed under the protection of King according to Foreign Minister Kevin George Tupou V, a distant relative. Rudd—he had been “decommissioned From Nuku‘alofa, Mara denounced from the military and [had] disas- the “hateful dictatorship” in Fiji. He sociated himself from the regime” said that he had “believed in Bainima- (abc, 16 June 2011). In a series of rama, in what he was doing” until late speeches broadcast on the Internet, 2007, but that Attorney General Aiyaz Mara alleged rampant corruption in Sayed-Khaiyum was subsequently the coup-spawned government. He brought aboard the, until-then, power- claimed that Bainimarama and his ful military council and had subverted attorney general were surreptitiously the original heroic objectives of the paying themselves multiple salaries, coup (Matangi Tonga, 27 May 2011; one for each of their many ministerial The Age, 17 May 2011). The escape portfolios, through an accounting firm sparked a diplomatic spat between Fiji owned by Sayed-Khaiyum’s aunt Nur and Tonga over demands for the extra- Bano Ali, and that both were taking dition of Mara, potentially to be heard “kickbacks on their Asian infrastruc- before the new Tongan Chief Justice ture deals” (Mara 2011b). Mara also Michael Scott, himself ironically a blamed Bainimarama for personally fugitive from the coup-related fallout beating pro-democracy activists at the in the Fiji judiciary. The Mara epi- barracks (Mara 2011a), a claim at sode also renewed an ancient Tonga- least partially denied by some of those Fiji dispute over the Minerva Reefs, concerned, who insisted that Mara located close to the maritime border and Driti themselves had been key per- between the two nations. Tonga recon- petrators of human rights violations in structed a navigation beacon on the the aftermath of the 2006 coup. Mara reef, claiming that the earlier beacon was also cagey about key parts of his had been destroyed by the Fiji navy story, such as the composition of the 380 the contemporary pacific • 24:2 (2012) military council (abc Pacific Beat, 31 Contact Group was allowed to meet May 2011), generating doubts about freely with political parties, civil soci- the credibility of many of his state- ety, and church leaders (abc Pacific ments. Bainimarama retorted angrily, Beat, 14 Feb 2011)—something that calling Mara a “fugitive” and “politi- had been denied to Commonwealth cal opportunist” (FijiLive, 10 June and United Nations visiting missions. 2011). New Zealand Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd told tv New Zealand in Murray McCully said he had reports March that “Bainimarama is the one of growing tensions within the regime who must change here” (Islands Busi- (FijiLive, 26 May 2011; rnzi, 16 May ness, 28 March 2011). The Australian 2011). From Mara’s home on Lakeba, opposition foreign affairs spokesper- a letter was written forbidding Baini- son, Julie Bishop, took a contrary marama from ever again setting foot line, saying that the core issue was on the island (fbcl, 30 May 2011). to support electoral reform ahead of Yet, echoing a well-established pat- the scheduled 2014 polls (abc Pacific tern, the tensions soon blew over, Beat, 31 March 2011). McCully too and Bainimarama traveled to the was pragmatic and kept up mobile Lau islands to receive another cho- telephone communication with reographed traditional apology from Foreign Minister Kubuabola, hoping more pragmatic members of the Mara to use full Fiji participation in New clan (Fiji Times, 15 June 2011; fbcl, Zealand’s rugby world cup as a carrot 17 June 2011). to entice Bainimarama into accepting The diplomatic stalemate over Fiji early elections (New Zealand Herald, continued through 2011. In February, 29 March 2011). the Pacific Island Forum’s Ministerial The Fiji government’s response Contact Group (mcg) on Fiji met in was to work instead on cementing Vanuatu and “reaffirmed” its concerns ties with the Melanesian Spearhead about “the respect for democracy, Group (msg). In December 2010, good governance and the rule of Bainimarama took over as msg chair law” in Fiji and about the continued and, in March 2011, he hosted the extension of the public emergency organization’s annual summit. In regulations (mcg 2011). Fiji’s interim August, ­Melanesian leaders gathered Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubua­ for Bainimarama’s second “Engaging bola invited the Ministerial Contact the Pacific” summit, again scheduled Group to visit Fiji to observe steps just ahead of the annual meeting of being taken toward democracy. His the Pacific Islands Forum (pif), from New Zealand counterpart, McCully, which Fiji remained suspended. Also welcomed the invitation as a “con- in attendance were some of Fiji’s structive and positive sign,” despite small Micronesian neighbors, who rejecting the Fiji government’s insis- are dependent on links to the outside tence on the delay of elections until world through Fiji’s Nadi airport. 2014. Australian Parliamentary Secre- Kiribati’s Anote Tong urged that tary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Fiji’s suspension be lifted. Melane- Marles insisted that no visit to Fiji sian leaders called for pif Secretary- was possible unless the Ministerial General Tuiloma Neroni Slade to be political reviews • melanesia 381 replaced (Islands Business, 1 Sept American and Oceanian Affairs 2011). As it happened, the Auckland Deputy Director Zhou Jian had told pif ­summit did neither, with leaders the Americans that China valued instead expressing “their continu- Fiji as a “useful transition point and ing deep concern at the deteriorating for its proximity to important ship- human rights situation” (pif 2011). ping lanes.” Like the resource-rich Both inside and outside the region, African nations, Fiji was a “valuable attitudes toward Bainimarama varied destination for economic engagement markedly. Sāmoa’s Tuilaepa regularly but of marginal and possibly declin- abused Bainimarama in a jocular ing political utility.” Fiji’s culture, he fashion and in November held the first said, resembled China’s in its focus summit of a new Polynesian Leaders on “consensus-building” and because Group (Savali, 28 Nov 2011), aimed both were “not fit” for competi- at countering the Fiji government’s tive politics. Countering exaggerated Melanesian diplomacy. Some Austra- reports about a vast increase in lian commentators lionized Fiji’s coup ­Chinese assistance, Zhou Jian pointed leader as the “King of the Pacific” out that the big rise in Chinese assis- (Davis 2011), while others demonized tance dated from before the coup in him as “the incipient Colonel Gaddafi 2006 and said that “no new projects of the Pacific” (Hughes 2011). had been begun since” (US Govern- Bainimarama’s government also ment 2009). sought to build ties further afield. Another secret US cable exposed Embassies were set up in South Africa by WikiLeaks showed that the United and Brazil, and diplomatic links were States had at the time of the coup forged or strengthened with Georgia, strongly countered Australian pres- Russia, the United Arab Emirates, sure to halt recruitment of Fiji soldiers and the Non-Aligned Movement. on United Nations peacekeeping Soft loans from Beijing positioned ­missions and had even resisted call- ­Chinese companies for expansion into ing that ­takeover a “coup” due to infrastructure and mining projects, the “importance of Fiji to UN peace- particularly in manganese and ­bauxite. keeping operations in Baghdad and The China Railway First Group was elsewhere” (US Government 2006). In awarded contracts for road and bridge May 2011, Rudd announced a policy building around eastern Viti Levu switch, saying that Australia would (Xinhua News 2011). Xinfa Aurum no longer object to new Fiji troops Exploration (Fiji) obtained a license being deployed to Baghdad (abc to mine bauxite in Nawailevu in Bua Pacific Beat, 11 May 2011). Behind Province, with plans for a f$3.5 mil- the scenes, Australian travel sanctions lion jetty for export direct to China were gradually being eased and con- (Fiji Times, 6 Nov 2011). tacts with the ministries restored, sig- Release by WikiLeaks of a US cable naling a steady drift toward pragma- dating back to June 2009 revealed tism. In November, Rudd announced something about Chinese attitudes a doubling of bilateral aid to Fiji, toward Fiji. Chinese Ministry of from a$18 million to a$36 ­million Foreign Affairs Department of North in 2013–14 (Rudd 2011). Oddly, 382 the contemporary pacific • 24:2 (2012) these concessions were barely noticed organizations is to initially conduct by those urging an accommodation pilot surveys, so Tebbutt would have with Bainimarama. Australian think known the likely findings before carry- tanks had called for “re-engagement” ing out the poll. on the grounds that a policy switch Others criticized the poll on the would deliver ­significant concessions, grounds that the sample was too small but there was no sign of any recipro- and pointed to the urban bias, claim- cal movement from the Fiji interim ing that opposition to Bainimarama ­government during 2011. The think would have been stronger in rural Fiji tanks focused on bilateral Australia- (Narsey 2011). Yet, internationally, Fiji relations, as if this were the key approval ratings surveys are regu- driver of events, disregarding the larly conducted with similarly small domestic dynamics within Fiji. samples, and there was no good rea- At the Auckland pif meeting, the son to think that the opposition would Lowy Institute released an opinion be weaker in urban Fiji. There were poll conducted within Fiji by market stronger reasons for questioning the research firm Tebbutt Research and Tebbutt methodology. A Fiji Times– funded by Fiji-born businessman Tebbutt survey conducted in Febru- Mark Johnson (Hayward-Jones 2011). ary 2009 had asked respondents the This was based on interviews with open-ended question as to whom they 1,032 adults in urban areas of Fiji’s preferred as prime minister: 31 percent largest island, Viti Levu, in August had favored deposed Prime Minis- 2011. It found that Bainimarama ter Laisenia Qarase, and 27 percent had a 66 percent approval rating Bainimarama (see Fraenkel 2010). and was used to reinforce pressure The 2011 poll asked instead a highly both from the Lowy Institute and the loaded question: “How good a job anz Bank for a policy switch toward do you personally think Commodore Fiji. The poll was much criticized by Voreqe Bainimarama is doing as Prime civil society activists within Fiji, who Minister?” Not only was the full mili- pointed to the prevailing climate of tary title used, but the more normal fear and intimidation and asked how polling formulation would have been Tebbutt had gained permission to to ask “how good or bad” a job Baini- carry out its poll (abc Pacific Beat, marama was doing. That the survey 7 Sept 2011). Former Fiji Times editor designers were possibly aware of this Russell Hunter had been responsible unbalanced phrasing was suggested for ­commissioning occasional opin- by another question, which did use ion polls from Tebbutt Research until the positive and negative options: “Do he was deported by Bainimarama you think Fiji is moving in the right or in 2008. He said that, “When the wrong direction?” To this question, 65 Tebbutt-Times poll was still operating, percent of respondents responded “the Caz [Tebbutt] several times declined to right direction,” but the exact mean- conduct a poll on contentious issues, ing of “right” or “wrong” in this con- fearing that the powers that be would text was highly uncertain. Even coup shoot the messenger” (Lal and Hunter critics might reasonably hope that Fiji 2011). Standard practice for polling was moving in the right direction. The political reviews • melanesia 383

Tebbutt poll was used brazenly by the 2 percent in 2011, according to the Fiji government to blow its trumpet International Monetary Fund (imf), throughout the rest of 2011, with after posting an increase of only 0.3 the Ministry of Information’s Sharon percent in 2010 and shrinking by 1.3 Smith-Johns crowing that Bainima- percent in 2009 (imf 2012). Tourism rama was “almost three times more was the mainstay of the recovery. After popular with the people of Fiji than a 7.4 percent contraction in visitor the Prime Minister Gillard is with the arrivals in 2009, 16.6 percent growth people of Australia” (Fiji Government was witnessed in 2010 and strong 2011). growth continued in 2011. Arriv- More broadly, approval ratings als from Australia during 2011 were may be reasonably indicative of shifts over three times the level of a decade in popular sentiment in the mass earlier. Previously, the Asian Develop- industrial democracies, but they are ment Bank had argued that earnings of questionable value in a country like were failing to keep pace with raw Fiji, particularly in a climate of severe visitor numbers, but by 2011 earnings censorship and intimidation. Indig- too were clearly on the increase (adb enous anger against government had 2011). Performance in other sectors visibly subsided by 2011, but acquies- was less impressive, and investment cence remained limited. Several promi- remained stagnant while the banks nent chiefs had publicly made their were swimming in cash. The sugar peace with Bainimarama, but Rewa’s industry was in steep decline. In 2009 Ro Teimumu Kepa, among others, still and 2010, there were signs that the publicly opposed the government, and government would abandon efforts to the Methodist Church had rejected save the troubled industry, which was strong incentives to buckle. With five delisted on the Suva stock exchange years having passed since the military in 2010. However, in January 2011, takeover, there was less focus on the new Fiji Sugar Corporation Chairman rights or wrongs of the coup but more Abdul Khan said that the Rarawai concern with present difficulties and Mill (the weakest of Fiji’s four mills) options for the future. Fiji Indian was in “too strategic a position to support for the government remained be closed down” (Fiji Times, 27 Jan strong. Veteran National Federation 2011). The British-based company Party leader and Australian émigré Tate & Lyle, the major purchaser of Karam Ramrakha expressed relief Fiji sugar, promised some assistance. that, unlike in the aftermath of the The best that could be hoped for, said 1987 and 2000 coups, “for once no Khan, was a “cash-neutral” position one is cursing the Indo-Fijians for Fiji’s (abc Pacific Beat, 18 April 2011). problems” (Ramrakha 2011). The real Bainimarama blamed the troubles test would be a general election, but on the politicization of the industry this was to be delayed until 2014, and (Fiji Sun, 22 February 2011). The Fiji there was little confidence within Fiji Labour Party’s Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi that those polls, if they happened at responded that huge falls in productiv- all, would be free and fair. ity had occurred during 2008–2010, Gross domestic product grew by during a “time when there was ‘no 384 the contemporary pacific • 24:2 (2012) politics’” (Vayeshnoi 2011). In March, had been offered with strings attached. after claiming that the government Despite rejecting imf assistance, Fiji’s was “fooling the farmers by not telling government did embrace some of the them the real situation of the mills,” supranational organization’s propos- National Farmers Union President als for civil service and land reform. Gaffar Ahmed was allegedly beaten Reforms to the Fiji National Provident during a visit by Bainimarama to the Fund, which holds 80 percent of long- Ba Sugar Mill (Coup Four Point Five, term government bonds and 48 per- 7 March 2011). In June, military cent of treasury bills, had been urged. officers allegedly assaulted Moham- In May, the provident fund reduced med Khalil, president of the Ba branch its pension rate from 15 percent to 9 of the Fiji Sugar and General Work- percent, generating outcry from senior ers Union (rnzi 28 June 2011; abc citizens. A case brought before the Pacific Beat, 4 Aug 2011). courts on the issue by pensioner David A major hurdle for Bainimarama’s Burness, with the assistance of former government was a f$300 (us$150) Fiji Human Rights Commissioner million bond due for repayment in Shaista Shameem, was dismissed by September 2011, anticipated by some the court. It was another sign of how economists as likely to generate a subservient the courts had become, financial crisis sufficient to sink the although Attorney General Sayed- regime. Negotiations for a standby Khaiyum vigorously protested that loan from the International Monetary the judiciary was independent and not Fund to cover that debt repayment subject to government interference. were abandoned in 2010. The 2011 One of the judges who had delivered budget speech indicated instead an the verdict declaring the Bainimarama intention to raise the necessary finance government unconstitutional in April on the private money markets. This 2009, Randall Powell, said in August fiscal optimism was to prove well 2011 that “the Fiji military regime’s founded. In March, the anz Bank idea of an independent judiciary is one brokered a new loan, obtaining f$500 that does the government’s bidding.” million mainly from European, Ameri- Constant interference was unneces- can, and Asian investors at a 9 percent sary, he continued, because the judges interest rate. Ratings agency Standard appointed “would know that if they & Poor’s gave the bond a b-grade, start pursuing an independent line reflecting a view that “the country’s there can be consequences” (abc persistent fiscal and current account Pacific Beat, 18 Aug 2011). deficits leave it vulnerable to default” Another imf proposal had been (s&p 2011). By late 2010, government for land reform. In February, a Land debt had reached 57.7 percent of gross Use Bank was established to admin- domestic product, or 91.2 percent ister deposits of native and crown if government guaranteed debt is land (Fiji Times, 17 Feb 2011). The included, according to Asian Develop- i-Taukei Land Trust Board (formerly ment Bank data (adb 2011). the Native Land Trust Board)—which The imf standby loan, reportedly administers the renting of communally available at a much lower interest rate, owned land—was directed to change political reviews • melanesia 385 its formula for distribution of lease measures to alleviate hardship for the money and lifted rents to 10 percent poor, poverty had been increasing in of unimproved capital value (FijiLive, Fiji, largely because the government 4 Feb, 19 Jan 2011). A majority of had followed the advice of interna- rent income was formerly distributed tional financial institutions like the to Fiji’s customary chiefs, with the International Monetary Fund and residual going to ordinary members the World Bank (Barr 2011). Signs of the mataqali (clan). Under the new that poverty was indeed worsening regulations, rent was to be distributed around the country included reports equally among mataqali members. of an increase in begging in Suva The change removed key income (abc Pacific Beat, 27 April 2011) and sources for the chiefs, particularly in of rising incidences of the theft of the western part of Viti Levu, where marine beacons, road signs, manhole traditional leaders obtain large rents covers, and bridge railings by scrap from agriculture and tourism. Ironi- metal collectors (abc Pacific Beat, 11 cally, one impact of the change was to May 2011; fbcl, June 24 2011; Fiji double the number of new indigenous Sun, 25 June 2011). Meat consump- Fijians signing up on the Vola ni Kawa tion was becoming less affordable. In Bula (Register of Native Births), a August, the Suva and Nadi branches tool of racial coding much despised of Kentucky Fried Chicken announced by sympathizers of the Bainimarama their closure due to “rising costs and government (FijiLive, 27 July 2011). deteriorating sales” (Sydney Morning The government was less keen to Herald 2011). accept imf proposals in other areas. During the first half of 2011, A blizzard of tax regulations alien- several prominent trade unionists ated even sympathizers within the associated with the Fiji Trade Union private sector, and new rules—immune Congress (ftuc) were harassed and from judicial review—were regularly beaten by military officers. National devised to retrospectively remedy Secretary Felix Anthony was taken belatedly apparent defects in ear- into custody in February and Presi- lier decrees. The Prices and Incomes dent Daniel Urai—together with ftuc Board, under Dr Mahendra Reddy, staffer Dinesh Gounder—was arrested continued to regulate markets, sup- in August (abc Pacific Beat, 4 Aug posedly in the interests of the less well 2011). In response, the Australian off. The government introduced an and New Zealand unions threatened across-the-board 10 percent minimum to halt in-bound flights to Fiji but wage increase in May, undermining desisted after concerns about the legal- the long-standing efforts of Wages ity of such action. General Secretary of Council Chairman Father Kevin Barr the International Trade Union Confed- to set distinct minimum wage levels eration Sharan Burrow said the unions for nine separate industries. Father would nevertheless escalate action Barr threatened to resign in February, against the Fiji regime (rnzi, 8 Aug criticizing the government for regu- 2011). larly caving in to employers (rnzi, Efforts to curtail the activities 9 Feb 2011). He claimed that, despite of trade unions also occurred in 386 the contemporary pacific • 24:2 (2012) the legislative sphere. The Essential abolished the automatic deduction of National Industries (Employment) union dues for public employees, a Decree 2011 was introduced in July. reform previously introduced in the It applied to eleven designated cor- sugar industry to weaken the posi- porations in the banking, telecom- tion of the National Farmers Union. munications, civil aviation, and public Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum utility industries. Existing collective claimed that union leaders were politi- agreements were voided, and trade cally motivated and corrupt, point- unions were required to reregister. ing to large directors’ fees allegedly Strike action was curtailed, and the taken by Mr Anthony and Mr Urai as jurisdiction of the wages councils was directors of the Fiji National Provident removed. Union leaders were required Fund during 2007–2009 (FijiLive, to be employees of the industries they July 21 2011; fbcl, 22 July 2011). represented, effectively ruling out In September, ilo Director-General most of the existing professional trade Juan Somavia called for the rescinding union leadership. The likely fate of of the Essential National Industries those trade unionists who were state Decree and “a return to dialogue with employees was vividly illustrated by trades unions and employers, an end the fate of Tevita Koroi, president to assaults on and harassment of trade of the Fiji Teachers Association. An unionists, and the immediate restora- investigation by the International tion of basic civil liberties” (Somavia Labour Office (ilo) found that, after 2011). speaking out against the interim gov- Throughout 2011 there were few ernment, Mr Koroi was suspended as major speeches by Bainimarama and a school principal in December 2008 no major interviews. With ­domestic and terminated in April 2009. The ilo resistance mostly crushed, there per- declared this a “clear violation of his haps seemed less urgent need to justify right to exercise his legitimate duties government policy, and the commo- as a trade union leader” and called for dore’s off-the-cuff remarks in the past his reinstatement (ilo 2011). An ilo had generated major difficulties for delegation to Fiji in August was tasked spin-doctors at the Ministry of Infor- with investigating broader allegations mation. The danger of the government of violations of trade union freedom edging toward a personalist dictator- of association. On the very weekend ship was revealed by the outcome of a that the delegation arrived, police Fiji tv phone-in popularity contest at broke up an ftuc meeting in Nadi the end of 2011. Apparently, officials on the grounds that the required and got wind of the fact that Bainimarama granted police permit for the meeting was unlikely to win the contest and had been suddenly revoked. arranged a barrage of last-minute Other legislation also weakened phone calls so as to lift the prime the position of the trade unions. The minister’s rating above that of Con- Employment Relations Amendment sumer Council Chair Premila Kumar Decree of 2011 removed protections (Coup Four Point Five, 14 Jan 2012; for 15,000 civil servants. In August, Field 2012). By mistake, Fiji tv closed an amendment to the Civil Service Act the poll on 30 December rather than political reviews • melanesia 387

31 December, so Premila Kumar was (Fiji Times, 9 April 2011). For several announced the winner. Bainimarama’s years, Bainimarama had regularly backers across the government cried indicated that opponents would not foul. The Commerce Commission’s be allowed to contest future elections, Mahendra Reddy launched an inves- but speaking on New Zealand televi- tigation, querying the early closure of sion in June, Sayed-Khaiyum insisted the poll (Reddy 2012). Fiji tv apolo- that “absolutely anybody” would be gized and quickly reversed the result, allowed to stand, except those in jail with Bainimarama proclaimed the (FijiLive, 26 June 2011). In prepara- victor. Such reactions, even to the out- tion for those exceptions, both Qarase come of a minor telephone survey, left and Chaudhry appeared before the little confidence that a future nation- courts during 2011, charged with wide election would be free or fair. corruption (FijiVillage, 13 Sept 2011). The year 2011 was a relatively Thus 2011 was a year when any quiet one in Fiji, though it was not lingering hopes for a restoration of the without incident. Much of the focus old order—with Qarase and Chaudhry was on 2012, when talks were due to as key players—steadily vanished, but commence toward a new constitution, it was also a year of anxiety about the paving the way for elections in Sep- future and disquiet about the present. tember 2014. The Public Emergency Regulations were to be removed, but jon fraenkel when this was done in January 2012, accompanied by a global press blitz by Qorvis, new public order legislation References was immediately slapped into place abc, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. that effectively entailed little change ­http://www.abc.net.au/ from the earlier arrangements. That abc Pacific Beat. Radio Australia, abc public relations exercise therefore International. http://www.radioaustralia ultimately backfired, only reinforc- .net.au/international/radio/program/ ing the perception that the Bainima- pacific-beat rama government’s promises were in bad faith. In fact, that Janus-faced adb, Asian Development Bank. 2011. Asian Development Outlook 2011 Update: character of the new order reflected Preparing for Demographic Transition. conflicting pressures, emanating from http://beta.adb.org/sites/default/files/ opportunists connected with Sayed- adu2011.pdf Khaiyum (who were reluctant to see the emergency regulations lifted) and The Age. Daily newspaper, Melbourne. from a more liberal grouping within Online at http://www.theage.com.au/ the military senior command (which Amnesty International. 2011. Arbitrary resented the ever-increasing influence Detentions and Beatings in Fiji Must Stop. of the attorney-general). Little more 25 February. http://www.amnesty.org.au/ was said publicly about Commodore news/comments/24916/ Bainimarama’s professed interest in a Barr, Kevin J. 2011. Poverty Alleviation presidential system, expressed in April and Poverty Statistics. Croz Walsh’s blog, to visiting Indonesian election officials 16 April. http://crosbiew.blogspot.com 388 the contemporary pacific • 24:2 (2012)

.au/2011/04/poverty-alleviation-and LSGetParasByCase.cfm?PARA=8961 -poverty.html &FILE=2752&hdroff=1&DISPLAY =BACKGROUND,INTRODUCTION Coup Four Point Five website. http://www.coupfourandahalf.com/ imf, International Monetary Fund. 2012. Republic of Fiji: Article IV Consulta- Davis, Graham. 2011. Time to Rethink 2009 When “Bad Guy” is King of Pacific. tion. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/ longres.aspx?sk= . The Australian, 30 March. 25735 0 fbcl, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Ltd. Islands Business. Monthly magazine, Suva. ­http://www.islandsbusiness.com/ Field, Michael. 2012. Fiji tv Apologises over Personality Vote. 22 January. ———. 2011. Australian Foreign ­ http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south Minister Rules Out Compromise over -pacific/6296302/Fiji-TV-apologises-over Fiji’s Coup. 28 March. http://www -personality-vote#comments .islandsbusiness.com/news/index_dynamic/ containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/ Fiji Government. . Bainimarama 2011 focusModuleID=130/focusContentID More Popular than Gillard. Fiji Ministry =23163/tableName=mediaRelease/ of Information press release, 8 September. overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option =com_content&view=article&id=4816 Lal, Victor, and Russell Hunter. 2011. :bainimarama-more-popular-than-gillard Polls Apart. Blog post, Raw Fiji News, &catid=71:press-releases&Itemid=155 14 September. http://rawfijinews .wordpress.com/2011/09/14/polls-apart/ FijiLive. Online news service. http://www.fijilive.com/ Malielegaoi, Tuilaepa. 2011. pm Blames Global Warming for Fiji-Tonga Storm. Fiji Sun. Daily newspaper, Suva. Online at Savali, May. http://www.savalinews ­http://www.sun.com.fj/ 18 .com/2011/05/18/pm-blames-global Fiji Times. Daily newspaper, Suva. Online -warming-for-fiji-tonga-storm/ at http://www.fijitimes.com/ Mara, Tevita Uluilakeba. 2011a. Baini­ FijiVillage. Online news service. marama the Beast. Media statement 4, http://www.fijivillage.com/ 30 May. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ Fraenkel, Jon. 2010. Melanesia in Review: WO1105/S00724/media-statement-no-4 Issues and Events, 2009: Fiji. The Contem- -bainimarama-the-beast.htm porary Pacific 22:416–433. ———. 2011b. Speech to the Fiji Hayward-Jones, Jenny. 2011. Fiji at Home ­Democracy and Freedom Movement, and in the World: Public Opinion and ­Melbourne, 25 June. Available from Foreign Policy. Sydney: Lowy Institute. http://www.truthforfiji.com/ Also specifi- http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication cally at http://intelligentsiya.blogspot .asp?pid=1690 .com/2011/06/speech-by-ratu-tevita -mara-melbourne.html Hughes, Helen. 2011. Fiji Meeting Would Be a Farce If It Were Funny. The Canberra Matangi Tonga. Online newspaper, Times, 30 March. Nuku‘alofa. http://matangitonga.to/ ilo, International Labour Office. 2011. mcg, Ministerial Contact Group. 2011. Committee on Freedom of Association Press release 11/11, Meeting of the Forum Report: Fiji. 1 July. http://webfusion.ilo Ministerial Contact Group on Fiji, Port .org/public/db/standards/normes/libsynd/ Vila, Vanuatu, 14 February. political reviews • melanesia 389

Narsey, Wadan. 2011. Shoddy Tebbutt 1721431/fiji_us_250_million_bond Opinion Poll by Lowy Institute. Coup _assigned_b_rating Four Point Five blog, September. 8 Savali. Biweekly newspaper, Sāmoa. http://www.coupfourandahalf.com/ / 2011 http://www.savalinews.com/ 09/narsey-gillard-govt-needs-to-ask.html Somavia, Juan. 2011. Statement on Fiji, New Zealand Herald. Daily newspaper, by ilo Director-General Juan Somavia. Auckland. Online at http://www.nzherald International Labor Organization website, .co.nz/ 13 September. http://www.ilo.org/global/ pif, Pacific Islands Forum. 2011. Forum about-the-ilo/press-and-media-centre/ Communiqué, Forty-Second Pacific Islands statements-and-speeches/WCMS_162761/ Forum, Auckland, New Zealand, 7–8 lang--en/index.htm September. http://www.forumsec.org/ Sydney Morning Herald. 2011. kfc Takes resources/uploads/attachments/documents/ a Battering in Fiji. 3 August. 2011%20Forum%20Communique %20FINAL.pdf US Government. 2006. Australia Declines Fiji’s Request for Military Intervention. PNG Mine Watch. 2012. “We Want pm Available at http://wikileaks.tetalab.org/ Bainimarama” Say Namosi Landowners. mobile/cables/06CANBERRA1940.html 16 January. http://ramumine.wordpress .com/2012/01/16/we-want-pm ———. 2009. South Pacific: International -bainimarama-say-namosi-landowners/ Isolation of Regime in Fiji an Opportunity for China. June. Available at http://www Ramrakha, Karam Chand. 2011. The .look4leaks.net/wikileaks.php?lang=en&op Head that Wears the Crown. Fiji Sun, =s&p=5&ent=China&tag=NZ 25 June. Reproduced at Croz Walsh’s blog, ­http://crosbiew.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/ Vayeshnoi, Lekh Ram. 2011. Sugar Unions head-that-wears-crown.html Not Responsible for the Industry Decline. Fiji Labour Party website, 24 March. Reddy, Mahendra. 2012. Press Statement ­http://www.flp.org.fj/n110324.htm Re: Complaint—Fiji TV Personality of the Year. Fiji Commerce Commission website, Xinhua News. 2011. China Railway 13 January. http://www.commcomm.gov Awarded Fiji’s Road, Bridge Projects. .fj/Press/Press%20Stat%20Text%20Comp China Radio International website %20130112%20Reddy (English), 18 January. http://english.cri .cn/6826/2011/01/18/168s616102.htm rnzi, Radio New Zealand International. http://www.rnzi.com Rudd, Kevin. 2011. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd Intervention to the Building New Caledonia Block Session on Fragility. Speech, 30 November. Australian Ministry Political tensions in early 2011 of Foreign Affairs website, http://www came close to unraveling the “col- .foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2011/ legial” institutions put in place by kr_sp_111130.html the Noumea Accord of 1998, as the s&p, Standard & Poor’s. 2011. Fiji us$250 governing cabinet fell four times, Million Bond Assigned “b-” ­Rating; until a new alliance emerged between Recovery Rating “4.” Research and leading loyalist and pro-independence Markets website, 11 March. http://www parties. When local governance had .researchandmarkets.com/reports/ seemed to stabilize, tragic intercom-