"BACK TO DEMOCRACY FOR FIJI"

You are invited to share and pen your ideas, views or opinions that will facilitate/assist our country back to democracy. All positive and/or negative ideas and comments to steer us back to the road of democracy are welcome.

Whichever way one looks at our current situation back home, democracy has been completely raped. The rape of democracy in Fiji is a virtual degradation of the populus of Fiji. Their human rights are being deprived:

1. the right to decide their government;
2. who they want to represent them;
3. their right to free assembly;
4. free protest;
5. free to organise into groups so that they can talk about what is pertinent to their daily lives;
6. protest on issues they do not agree with....with no fear of intimidation from anybody.

With this military regime in place, the concept of freedom per the Constitution is a total myth!

And, we, the people of Fiji need to come together and be vehement about our total disagreement with the military regime. So give us liberty or death! The reality of the issue is that democracy in Fiji has been raped...from top to bottom...left to right....inside and out and vice versa!

Here we have a military regime that talks about freedom to the people and yet the very same military regime randomly arrest people, torture them, inflict unnecessary harrassment and emotional stress to those that seem a threat to them. The military regime talks about racial unity.......the communal concept of togetherness and yet Fiji is far more racially divided today than it ever was.

The so-called advisors, viz-a-viz, John Samy, these are rejects from their adopted countries and yet they are being rewarded with exuberant amount(s) of money by these rogue military regime who have no idea what they are doing. Lying to the international community does not augur well with this interim government and yet the interim Prime Minister continuously talks with a forked tongue when addressing international issues. The ministers talk about internal securities as if Fiji is going to be invaded.

All around it is clearly seen that the economy is in tatters and the Constitution is just a useless piece of paper. The rule of law is as what the military regime wants it to be.

The above are just some of my views (from a pro-democracy viewpoint). But, do not let that deter you from penning your comments if you share otherwise.

So, let us come together and voice our views/comments, whether they be for or against the military regime and have a very healthy discussion here so that in the end we can factually understand what our role is, what we need to do and how we can come up with ideas to help restore democracy back in our beloved Fiji!

Please feel free to write what you like or dislike about the military regime. Be sincere and honest about your thoughts, without getting personal or spiteful.

Kindly note, this "topic" will expire as soon as we have an election.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by jay on December 7, 2009 at 7:38pm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1k1x--G0yc; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by STEE on December 8, 2009 at 10:56am: Bula Apo.. No one can deny that you have every right to say whatever you 'damn can' on this blog, so does everyone else.

Iam sorry if I offended you, but this thing about "serving the Fijian Community in the US.. " popping up now and then, has really put an unpleasant edge to many a few for this movement. I have been here for five years now, and the majority of the Fijian Community that I know of, are still pretty much the way they were since they came... And without meaning to digress or to deviate further, this Movement does not and will never involve the "whole Fijian Community", because, not everyone agrees for Bainimarama to step down. Heck, you should have heard the comments some gave us when we were trying to rally for support for this cause. Then again, you should know all that, "because noone has ever walked your path..!!! "

I wish to take this time to apologize to Mr. Daunitutu and and all you brave fighters out there, if I have deviated a little over here.

Finally, I apologise to you too Mr. Gucake. I am sure you already know my real identity, but I wish to remain as such for personal reasons. I am sure you have done a lot for the Fijian Community, though I am still not so sure of all that it entails..( no offense there.!) I just wish we could have a better approach where we could all just come together as one, and help and guide each other along, without having factions lashing out at each other, trying to prove each is better or smarter than the other. I think we can start with you and Loru ( OBees) .... Sa malo.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE..!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Apo Gucake on December 8, 2009 at 2:28pm: Apology taken and accepted Stee, let's move on and get this thing done. Apologies to Loru and mai Tau Te if I've offended, it's all good we can do this. Such is the beauty of living in this great democracy. Vinaka Kasa for putting us back on course. For Fiji, ever Fiji.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kasanita Kamakorewa Lindell on December 8, 2009 at 2:15pm: @ Marama nite STEE - You should have come to the meeting my dear, that was the place to speak, to stand up and be counted, the road is long and we MUST be together on this my dear.

Words like "habitual urge to lead" does no one any favors least of all kainoqu Tevita Korodrau and turaga tauvu Loruama Tawawili, I know that both these gentlemen Loruama Tawawili and Apolosa Gucake are your OB's and I honestly used to assume that there was a code of honor among you guys, was I wrong??

NOW is not the time to be flinging mud at each other, now is the time to SET ASIDE PERSONAL ISSUES and step up to the plate. I am now safely assuming that the words "habitual urge to lead" also apply to me and anyone else that ONLY wants to help and be an honest part of our cause.

In order to give POWER TO THE PEOPLE WE MUST TAKE THE HIGHER ROAD naita, I for one did not at all appreciate the tone set by kainoqu Korodrau when he kept saying repeatedly "point taken....NEXT"!! It was no longer "JUST A BLOG" once we were sitting in that room, there were very much REAL PEOPLE in there and regardless of their respective immigration status here in this country they too were all entitled to speak their mind..................THEN and ONLY THEN could we move forward.

The "mini dictatorship attitude" DID NOT AT ALL sit well with any of us at the meeting especially the keynote speaker Dr.Kevin Danaher and the American organizations that were represented. That is how most if not all of the meeting was conducted if not for some of us who stood firm and became very vocal for the people and the Fijian Community here in the States.

Bugger "personal popularity" right now, we WANT people like Apolosa Gucake to be a part of the foundation of our USA Chapter because we have always spoken of transparency and accountability and he makes a perfect "CHECKS AND BALANCES" person for us. I suppose there are others out there in our community who would be more than willing and able to step forth and lend a helping hand and we would welcome them of course.

Do we not want to be wholesome and not appear to become like the very thing we are fighting against which is 'totalitarian rule'??
Lets look at the bigger picture here and not emphasize on speculations.

This fight is INDEED for our people, lets keep that focus please, personal issues aside!!

Vinaka saka.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by STEE on December 8, 2009 at 3:32pm: Ni bula Marama Nite Kasanita. My not attending the meeting will not affect my support for this Movement and this great cause. Besides, I had given my apology to Mr. President and the main reasons why I will not be vocal upfront as I had done before, due the the threats I had received beforehand, details of which, I will not air out here.

I was addressing Mr. Gucake, and I am not responsible nor am I bothered with your interpretation of it, regarding personal issues and the likes, because nothing can be further from the thruth. Anyways, like we have always said... This fight is for our people, and that is what we had been doing and will continue to do, as long as we have the will and the means. Vinaka vakalevu..!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kasanita Kamakorewa Lindell on December 8, 2009 at 9:06pm: All things considered then naita STEE, I am sorry that you have to put up with such threats from such people, it sounds all too familiar and also very sad that people still stoop so low.
My question is why?

I do not attempt to interpret anything for anyone, nor do I want to bother you on any level at all, I do believe though that I am well within my rights to address certain issues as opposed to "POINT TAKEN..........NEXT"!! We are all adults here and things should be pretty straight forward. That in itself would be a misconception and theres a fine line there when it comes to shades of grey.

Ni Kalougata saka tiko naita! :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mere Tuisalalo Samisoni on December 7, 2009 at 7:55am: 7/12/09
Vinaka vaka levu President Loruama Tawawili, Vice President T Korodrau and Mrs Tepola for funding the Meeting. Thank you also go to the members Members Apolosa Gucake', Mrs Koto Vakarewakobau, Mrs Kasanita Lindewll, Mr Naca, Mr Sekope Tauyavu and Mrs Tepola for your resolutions and commitment to our cause. Now we must join forces as advised by Suli with the strategic resolutions in mind.
God Bless Fiji for all you good people.
Mere.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mafile'o Ela Bale on December 7, 2009 at 12:12pm: A hearty congratulation(s) to the newly elected members of the "Back to Democracy" movement here in the USA. Messrs. Pres/Vice Pres we applaud you for a job well done on Saturday's meet.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on December 6, 2009 at 10:10pm: Credit bill for Air Fiji owners increases

The credit bill for the owners of Air Fiji Limited is increasing as the Transport Workers Union has put in their demand today in attempts to ensure the former 170 workers are paid their dues.
As preparations get underway to shut down Air Fiji permanently, the Tuvalu government is now awaiting the sale of all their assets and hope to be able to pay off their creditors, with an amount in excess of $10 million.

Air Fiji also owes the National Bank of Tuvalu $700,000, Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority $679,000, the Fiji National Provident Fund $350,000 and R. Patel Lawyers $65,000.

And now, in a letter addressed to the Tuvalu Transport Minister Taukelina Finakaso, the Transport Workers Union demands payments for the 170 workers for all outstanding wages, salaries and other benefits, a redundancy package calculated on 4 weeks pay plus 6 months pay based on basic salary and allowances.

However, the hope of receiving some financial relief ahead of Christmas for the former Air Fiji staff is fading away as the owners of the airline company have no money to pay them.

Finakaso said while they sympathise with the former workers; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike on December 6, 2009 at 11:58pm: Expert takes Fiji regime to task for lack of transparency

Posted at 07:39 on 07 December, 2009 UTC

An economic governance expert from the University of the South Pacific says Fiji’s interim governmemt is showing an increasing lack of transparency in its economic management.

Dr Haruo Nagakawa, who works for the School of Government, Development and International Affairs, says the lack of details accompanying the recently released national budget gives analysts like himself little to work with.

However he knows that with dwindling revenues, the interim prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is struggling to balance his outgoings as well as cut growing deficit.

“But no details are coming out. I’ve heard that the Commander increased compensation for the military and the police. It’s not really a good sign of high quality of governance. I think the economic governance has been really deteriorating.”
Dr Haruo Nagakawa says it’s also clear that the interim regime is borrowing too heavily from the National Provident Fund without a guarantee that investors will get returns.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on December 7, 2009 at 12:25am: This is what we have been saying all along, that he wants to silence the media so he can go to town with whatever funds available to him - with not the slightest worry of repercussions and negative consequences.

Dr. Haruo Nagakawa's excessive usage of vocabulary gave some credibility of minutest of details to this illegal Regime.

He should not have used the words "little to work with" - or high quality. These words give a window of hope - but as we know too well - they just haven't got it, they don't have skills, quality, truth, transparency or any quality associated with good governance.....full stop; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Loruama Tawawili on December 7, 2009 at 3:42am: Posted at 07:39 on 07 December, 2009 UTC

An economic governance expert from the University of the South Pacific says Fiji’s interim governmemt is showing an increasing lack of transparency in its economic management.

Dr Haruo Nagakawa, who works for the School of Government, Development and International Affairs, says the lack of details accompanying the recently released national budget gives analysts like himself little to work with.

However he knows that with dwindling revenues, the interim prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is struggling to balance his outgoings as well as cut growing deficit.

“But no details are coming out. I’ve heard that the Commander increased compensation for the military and the police. It’s not really a good sign of high quality of governance. I think the economic governance has been really deteriorating.”
Dr Haruo Nagakawa says it’s also clear that the interim regime is borrowing too heavily from the National Provident Fund without a guarantee that investors will get returns.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand; ▶ Reply to This