Fragments from a Fiji Coup Diary
by Pat Craddock*
by Pat Craddock*
This posting traces the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) and People's Charter process through summarised extracts from Pat's diary. Its importance lies in showing Government attempts to win wide public support, and the constant opposition of the Methodist Church, the SDL party, some chiefs and the printed media. Much of today's "stand off" can be attributed to these early events.
Oct. 2007. President Iloilo announces NCBBF to develop a People's Charter.
Nov. Army announces NCBBF will include people from all walks of life, including political parties.
Jan. 2008. John Samy to head Secretariat. SDL party and Methodist Church refuse to take part. Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi declines co- chairmanship. Joni Dakuvula joins Secretariat.
July 7. I hear comments that the media are against the draft of the People's Charter and they publish negative information. Earlier, in Feb. and May,publishers,Russell Hunter (Sun) and Evan Hannah (Fiji Times) had been deported.
Nov. Army announces NCBBF will include people from all walks of life, including political parties.
Jan. 2008. John Samy to head Secretariat. SDL party and Methodist Church refuse to take part. Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi declines co- chairmanship. Joni Dakuvula joins Secretariat.
July 7. I hear comments that the media are against the draft of the People's Charter and they publish negative information. Earlier, in Feb. and May,publishers,Russell Hunter (Sun) and Evan Hannah (Fiji Times) had been deported.
NCBBF comprises 3 working groups: Good Governance; Growing the Economy; Social/Cultural Identity and Nation Building -- and numerous workshops.
July 30. No intention to replace the Constitution except for electoral system.
August. Methodist Church comes out against the Charter. Tells 300,000 members not to sign it. Also reports that several chiefs doing likewise. Rumours being spread that the Charter will take away Fijian land and identity.
Some 200,000 copies of the draft Charter printed in the Fijian, Hindi and English (the 1997 Constition was not so translated). Response form requires yes/no answer, name and address to prevent fraud and photocopying. Not so interpreted by
opponents.
Massive publicity on radio, TV (including pro and anti discussion) and in the press.
Sept. 2008. Public consultations in full swing. Members of the NCBBF and District Office staff visit villages and towns. Attacks on the People's Charter continue with at least one full-page ad a week. Calls for election to "restore democracy."
Qarase reported again and again with attacks on Charter. David Nielson reports irregularities in the 2006 election. Brij Lal talks of the SDL Agricultural Scam during the 2001 election: $1m to buy votes.
Oct. 2008. High Court find Bainimarama coup legal. [Pat unhappy with previous Chief Justice Fatiaki's forced resignation and the quid pro quo November 12 dropping of charges against him.]
Dec. 12 2008. Over 60% of those canvassed said "yes" to the People's Charter.
Jan. 2009. Army still in firm control. National census held. President's Political Forum to be held in April to consider electoral reform and way forward. Charter nearly complete and "largely accepted by the people as the way forward."
April 20 2009. [Australia High Court judges find 2006 Coup illegal. Constitution abrogated. People'c Charter process on hold.] Anti-Government blogs proliferate.
* Pat is a NZ media educator and journalist who has worked in the Pacific for many years. He was in Fiji during the 2000 and 2006 Coups and later assisted in the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) process. More recently, he has critized the Bainimarama governnment for not living up to its early promise.
My summary based on Pat's article in the Pacific Journalism Review 15 (1) 2009: 45-66.
My summary based on Pat's article in the Pacific Journalism Review 15 (1) 2009: 45-66.
1 comment:
When the verdicts of 2 high courts contradict with each other, within a time frame of 6 months and the fact that the second judgement was delivered within 24 hrs and was 50+ pages long, only suggests that there is serious deficiency in the legal system in place at that point in time. Such being the case, the Hon Prez., our Head of State had to act. The legal fraternity can argue this till the cows come home, but we do have/had a match referee who would intervene in a stalemate situation, aka "PRESIDENT'S RESERVE POWERS" regardless of what Brijlal's document may be interpreted to reflect. The fact that 62% supported the People's Charter,it was more than adequate for the Hon Prez. to act accordingly.
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