The interim Fijian Government says it expects Australia to respond positively to a request to extradite Ratu Tevita Mara. It may be disappointed because the Australian and New Zealand Governments appear see Mara as a credible figure around which to base a serious challenge to Commodore Bainimarama Mara began his campaign in Australia by invoking the mana of his father, Read more
New Zealand Prime Minster, John Key and Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully both have said that New Zealand had no intention of using the World Cup as an excuse to relax sanctions which it has applied against Fiji since a 2006 military coup. Vidya Lakhan president of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Read more
Ratu Tevita Mara is looking at applying to live in New Zealand. He said he might make a formal application to seek asylum in New Zealand and was already in informal discussions. He says is also talking with people in other countries.Colonel Mara says he would also like his family to move to New Zealand with him. Colonel Read more
The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who last November told John Campbell of New Zealand’s TV3 that he “had much to learn about good manners” this week displayed a more relaxed a attitude to the media. He suggested that the current storm-in-a-teacup between Fiji and Tonga was a result of global warming. Asked for comment, the Prime Minister Read more
Why did Mara flee? Ratu Tevita Mara himself said he fled because he had witnessed from the inside how power had corrupted and how the main players had forgotten their original objectives. He has criticised Fiji’s attorney general, saying he is the real power behind a “morally and intellectually bankrupt” Commodore Bainimarama. Why did Mara flee? Crosbie Walsh says: Forget Read more
The Australian foreign policy establishment has been plunged into an agonising debate with the gradual realisation that Canberra’s hardline approach to Fiji has failed. “The bipartisan consensus between Labor and the Coalition that the diplomatic cold shoulder and targeted sanctions would eventually bring the Bainimarama regime to heel has been shattered.” says Graham Davis. “Australia grossly Read more
The Sydney-based think tank, the Lowy Institute has declared Australia’s Fiji policy a failure. In a policy paper to be launched on 2 May, it suggests Australia build an international coalition, including non-traditional partners such as India and Indonesia, to help Fiji draw up a new constitution and hold elections, as promised in 2014. The new approach Read more
The Fiji Government refutes Knut Ostby’s statement that Fiji is not doing enough to alleviate the rise of poverty. Knut, the UNDP Resident Coordinator has urged the Government to “review its response to the (poverty) problem, saying government has not done enough. “There have been attempts in Fiji for various social welfare schemes, programs, assistance to elderly destitute and Read more
The deputy general secretary of Fiji’s Methodist Church says the government is allowing the Methodists’ conference to proceed this year – but only for one day. Reverend Tevita Banivanua said for the past two years the government has prohibited the gathering under the Public Emergency Regulations. He said while the church is grateful for permission to Read more
Cults and sects are live and active in parts of Fiji’s Ra Province and a Government team has been set up to eradicate them. The Government is concerned about the welfare of children, and because it allows men to sleep with any female group member. Ra provincial administrator Joji Satakala said, “most of these cult groups ban Read more