Regime hiring Chinese workers while Fijians lose jobs

Here's the beginning of the reality of those Chinese loans to our poor nation.

While thousands of us lose our jobs and are forced to retire today, our taxpayers dollars are being used to pay foreign workers - neo-colonisation in action.

These are the strings tied to the loans that will make Bainimarama and cronies rich whilst the rest of the country withers, wilts and dies.

I am seeing many many more new Chinese in Fiji - are they being left here after they finish their projects?

A couple of months ago we read that about 100 Chinese workers were imported specially by the Chinese Embassy to build their new chancery in Suva denying local contractors and construction workers from participating in their project.

Now I understand there are more Chinese to be imported to do roading and housing contracts as a condition of loans from China.

We should be very afraid of this new colonisation happening right under our noses and all with the blessing of the military junta who even though they mouth it, defy and deny accountability to us the taxpayer.

Fijians good nature to be tested

We Fijians need to get angry.

Our good nature is something that the military regime has taken advantage of. We are too busy putting food on the table to look elsewhere or to be bothered enough to take bold action against the regime that has stripped us of our rights to freely elect our own leaders, to speak, to think and to determine our own future.

To help us along the way, finally some resolve. Thank you, vinaka to the UN for putting the money where their mouth is.

Fijian soldiers - not all of them - but the ones that have proven they can damage a whole nation and generations of children, need to learn when enough is enough and the bad behaviour has to stop.

Sa yala eke.

When the good nature of the ordinary Fijian is tested, when the ordinary Fijian goes hungry is when we get angry. This will be the tipping point for Fiji.

It seems this needs to happen, or we will just sit here day after day lamenting our bad fortunes and wringing our hands but not doing anything about it. It seems we need to get hungry.

The military regime is in it for the power, the glory and what money they can get their hands on to fatten their own troughs. Lets be honest, the coup was never about anything else.

Now it is time for overseas tourists to start thinking about ethical travel as the taxed tourist dollar is one of the last treasure troves the military can dive into to perpetuate their illegal and criminal reign.

Please don't even think the tourist dollar will be helping us the subjugated people of Fiji, who without international tourist dollars would surely starve?

Tourism operators have laid off so many of us and/or put us on reduced hours that only a guaranteed safe political climate can resurrect the whole industry now.

Your tourist dollar at this the 11th hour, is NOT going to raise our pitiful wages ($1-$2 an hour); is NOT going to raise our spirits; and is certainly NOT going to assist us in the LONG term. By spending your tourist dollar in Fiji, you are not only supporting this regime, you are perpetuating our suffering.

Anyway the tourist resort with the lovely beach and swim pool is hardly Fiji. Who takes tours to the real villages and to the squatter settlements where most of the resort workers stay?

I can hear all the usual arguments now - sanctions etc .... but what I am saying is this is a necessary sacrifice - the world needs to help us bring this regime to their knees. Cut off this regime's purse strings. Channel the necessary aid via the reputable NGO's in this country not through the regime.

It is quite simple: dictators oppress the people, silence the poor and control the media. And how is clamping down on civil liberties, freedom of speech and removing a fair justice system - all by force - acceptable in this day and age?

But then again because we are all given free will at the end of the day your decision will be based on personal political principles and I wish you well in your inner deliberations. While you are at it, consider this - the beauty of a democratic society is that you can and do criticise your goverment - enjoy this freedom while you can.

PS - please support the black armband silent protest campaign that the Fiji Youths United Movement have begun today.

Intimidaton and Censorship in Fiji

Fiji Military Intimidates peaceful citizens

This morning (Tuesday 21st April) at 6.55am, a dark green pick up truck registered GM783 parked outside the home of Peter Waqavonovono in Suva. (Peter is a courageous Youth Activist and President of the Young People's Concerned Network.) In the pick-up, were three soldiers in full attire (minus weapons) and the driver seemed to have 3 yellow stripes on his shoulder resembling some sort of rank.

They would occasionally look into Peter's house.

At around 7.57am Peter walked outside the house, and the truck drove away upon seeing him walk up the drive way motioning at them to ask 'what do you want'.

During these days of high intimidation and secrecy, the actions of these three soldiers is too far from a coincidence.

It is important that as the avenues to reporting violations of citizen's privacy/human rights have been closed down in Fiji, the world must know that possible further human rights violations may well be occurring now, and soon.

We now live in a nation where the media is heavily gaged, gatherings banned, and thoughts or opinions forcefully self censored because of fear and intimidation.

We know that Peter will continue with the work that he does as he sees no reason why PEACEFUL means of attaining better standards for youth inclusion, freedoms and involvement is a bad thing for Fiji and is considered a threat.

Behind Peter , are the lives of young people gone before who have died in the struggle since the first coup in 1987 because they were abused, threatened, traumatised and neglected, all because they are youth.

With Peter are the prayers of millions of people praying for peace in Fiji.

With Peter are the voices of young people who currently feel worthless, disengaged and incapacitated.

Peter, like many other people who stand up and speak out against these injustices, doesn't see himself as a problem - rather , the youth of Fiji today as the solution, and with this thought capsuling his passion , Peter walks on bravely. Let us join him Fiji !

During these times, its the people who speak out against the injustice and continue to walk on who make a difference

Martin Luther Kings Juniors quote "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy" stand timely true.

God Bless you Peter

Fiji Military's Criminal Timeline

Thanks to Coup 4.5 for this analysis of what it means for us people of Fiji to be living under the rule of gun-toting criminals from today.

Vinaka also to my regular correspondent who supplies my graphics for this meaningful illustration (click on the image to enlarge it and you can print it out to show your friends) showing the many years we are to suffer if we do not rise against this evil and demonic regime now spreading its tentacles across our nation.

By 2019 , (if Bainimarama and his renegade military last this long), he will be hoping that as an older man, people will have either forgotten or be happy to forgive him because of his age.

By 2019. I will be 70 years old and all my grandchildren will have grown into the 20’s and 30’s living under the rule of this despot and his men who are making the rules up as they go along.

This is not what I subscribed to when I was born and I am quite certain this is not God’s plan for Fiji and for me or the makabunas.

Arise Fiji and stir the devil’s nest.

Surely we owe this to our future generations to come ?

Or will we be happy to be remembered like Iloilo is going to be remembered for eternity - as the ultimate betrayer of his people?

Accessing News Posts about Fiji

Vinaka to a correspondent who has given us this link to tune in about news from Fiji.

Thank you to Radio New Zealand who have set up a special web page to cover events in Fiji which feature interviews and features

The full RNZI radio service can be heard throughout Fiji and the Pacific on analogue short-wave radio.

Radio Australia has provided audio links such as contained on this page, and on this page with it's Pacific Beat programmes.

And on ways to listen to news about Fiji from Radio Australia, click here.

Fiji Journalists take a bow, you have all been saluted for your bravery and creativity. UNESCO has expressed it's grave concerns on the draconian measures being undertaken in Fiji to suppress free speech. And the latest article from the Lowy Institute points out the need for urgent action from our neighbours. A summary report of the latest issues are presented here on ABC PM and on this link where you can hear the very arrogant Aiyarse and his smart-arse answer to a perfectly legitimate question and also about the SHOOT TO KILL order being given the renegade Fijian Military against their own people.

Looking Forward

Hmmm what do we have to look forward to this weekend ragone ?

No rule of law
No constitution
Military decrees ten to the dozen
Closed banks and shops
Staples costing 20% more
Desperate thieves in our backyards
Helpless police against the surge in crime
Wannabes elevating themselves to highfalutin positions at Govt House
Job losses if you're over 55 or if you look at a blog
No freedoms
Curfews
Roadblocks
Angry fed up tired populace
Locked up journalists with anxious families
More military propoganda

.... etc etc we all know this list can go on and on and on ..........

And before I wish you a happy weekend, thanks to a correspondent's email link, listen here for the remarkable interview with Ballu Khan that was aired on NZ TV this morning. Good on you luvequ for speaking out .

People power for a Free Fiji

The ABC's programme ON THE MAT has produced an audio segment that you can listen to here. This covers comment from the three judges who sat on the Fiji Court of Appeal last week and ruled that the Government of Commodore Frank Bainiamarama was illegal.

For an interview with Jone Baledrokodroka and Radio NZ Nine to Noon, you can listen here.

Also vinaka ragone for your letters and notes and snippets of information. Suzie of Valelevu, your information has been passed to the person you wanted it to go to. Melinda, I will get in touch with you later on today.

To Vili, Anon 1 & 2, Kelikeli and Cokaniuto I will email you today and we can talk about your suggestions. Thanks for the photos sent in people and keep them coming. For up to the minute news, please see the Coup 4.5 News Blog. For a great synopsis of the current situation see Michael Field's commentary here.

It is obvious there are many good principled people in Fiji, and that those of us who have the means to raise our voices on behalf of those who have been suppressed should continue to do so.

For those people sitting on the fence, I give you Desmond Tutu's quote :

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

and RF Kennedy who said :

" It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.”

Supporting Media Freedom under Fiji's Criminal Regime

Because of the sensitive, dented and hurt ego's at the Army Command the whole of Fiji suffers.

Well !

I have news for the head cowboys at the criminal regime HQ.

Bloggers are here to support those very brave journo's who are attempting to get the TRUTH out there.

ABC COMMENT - listen here

So ragone, whatever you have that is newsworthy , please send any interesting cellphone pixs or photos to any of the following people for broadcast to the world :

avaiki.nius@gmail.com

freefiji@newspapers.co.nz

peterfirkin@gmail.com

dpf@ihug.co.nz

pacifikanews@gmail.com
__________________

Vinaka ragone. To Jitoko, Narube, Edwin Nand, and all those others arrested for speaking THE TRUTH, keep your courage of your convictions close to your heart for they are what make you strong.

Letters to the Fiji Freedom Blog Editors

Vinaka ragone for all your emails, thoughts and good wishes. Here are 2 of the most thought provoking letters for you :

THE WAY FORWARD

My legal friends tells me that this is the way forward:

There IS ALREADY a constitution in place The President is appointed under the Constitution and he has no lawful authority to abrogate the Constitution or to dismiss the judges or to act inconsistently with the law as declared by the Court of Appeal.

The President should IMMEDIATELY name a Caretaker PM and take the country to elections if he is to save his reputation..

The President has, by his conduct renounced his office under the Constitution by declaring that he intends to ignore its requirements and make up his own laws.

That being the case, the office of President is arguably vacant and can be filled by the Great Council of Chiefs under section 90.

Although the Great Council is supposed to consult with the PM, there is no lawfully appointed PM so the doctrine of necessity must mean they can act without that advice.

Alternatively, if the President is unwilling or unable to carry out the Court of Appeal’s directives, he should immediately resign from office.

Bruce Boss

______________________

TO BE NON-VIOLENT OR NON-EXISTENT

In February 1959, four years after Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott and 11 years after Gandhi was assassinated, Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr went to India to draw powerful lessons about the way the bony, bare-chested Gandhi had deployed the weapon of nonviolence in his fight to free India from more than 200 years of British rule.

50 years after that visit, Dr. King's son, Martin Luther King III, his wife and a delegation of civil rights leaders is in India to retrace his late father's footsteps.

In his many visits to various Indian sites where Gandhi's footsteps tread, museums and institutions, one important message he shared in a lecture at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations made good sense when we ponder about the current heavy-handed military dictatorship our country is sadly experiencing at the moment. He said,

"Violence is not always physical. It can often be structural and institutional and can breed the powerlessness, poverty, racism and militarism that his father battled against."

As I reflect on this Easter week's events of the abolition of our Constitution by the very one whose sole responsibility is to preserve it for our sake, the reappointment of the usurpers of our democracy, and the military-police state of affairs our media is in now and our country, one wonders how bold, inconsiderate, barbaric and really insane this military regime have become.

For the FHR("W") Commissioner to say that, the president's action of abrogating the Constitution is acceptable is just ludicrous, and even her other more intellectual lawyers said that.

So, you see people, the lame ducks are coming home to roost. They are rattled! And, the people should do more of the rattling…civil disobedience is the way to go…NONVIOLENT ACTIONS WORK!

Our chiefs and leaders should be bold and brave enough now to start making some NOISE NONVIOLENTLY! Workers should probably plan to walk off jobs enmass. I know there are really some frustrated and disillusioned military personnel everywhere...maybe you should be the ones to stand-up to your coward leaders first.

As in the message of Dr. King, and I quote:

"It's no longer a choice between violence or nonviolence in this world, it's NONVIOLENCE or non-existent."

Which one are we going to be, Fiji?

Good luck and God bless everyone!

Enuf Dictatorship
_________________

And if you have any camera or cellphone footage to send , send it to PETER FIRKIN peterfirkin@gmail.com or Fiji Democracy Now : admin@fijidemocracynow.com

High Treason in Our Fiji

If the family and people of Iloilo really loved him and cared for him, they would have prevented him from committing the worst sin a President can commit - that of treason against his own people.

To this end Iloilo has been sworn at, cursed and labelled in a manner most unflattering to his traditional rank and title - that of tamata liumuri, tamata lialia, tamata lakosese, tamata sesewa, tamata ba-kava ulusese. There is no dokai (honour) left and that is a truly terrible thing to behold in Fijian Society.

Instead Iloilo's wife Kavu and family, and Nacewa have chosen the love of false status and money over real filial concern & affection.

They should have let him out to pasture, but instead have let him become the hollow representation of the most evil we have seen in this nation; an international laughing stock; and the highest betrayer of the people he swore to protect. Justice was placed before him to follow but instead he and Franks thugs have chosen to kick it out & form their own self made justice which is a violation of justice & human rights right there.

These are the pirates of Fiji.

If one is looking for any positives, at least the charade and pretenses of the last 2 years have been ripped away from the white tomb stone, and the usurpers, judas's and stool pigeons can no longer hide behind the supposed righteousness of upholding all the right & proper edifices.

To make matters worse we held our collective breath in horror and covered our children's eyes when we saw the parade of rapists of freedom in Fiji at the swearing in ceremony on TV on Easter Saturday.

There was no veidokai in what they were doing.

Raising their hands and swearing on the holy book - each of them sounded and looked hollow, meaningless, shallow and hypocritical. Like Alice in Wonderland, all of them in a make-believe situation.... nothing real or true in this most sinister and futile of military maneuvers.

What were they swearing to on the holy books? Blasphemy if you ask me .. swearing to be loyal to a lie and to do every manner of evil, violence, deceit & injustice to the people they are supposed to protect.

We have arrived at a very sad place in our history.

As Prof Brij Lal said :

"Where there is no respect for the rule of law why would people want to invest in Fiji? In these these times of global financial crisis financial investment needs political stability and there is no stability, people will invest somewhere else."

Its that simple.

As far as the ordinary Fijian is concerned our beloved constitution still lives on , as Iloilo never had the authority to abrogate it, and ever the optimist, I say the thousands of us that believe in the protection of our fundamental freedoms are like smile-inducing, rainbow-coloured specks of hope who retain this belief in our hearts and minds, which no gun or oppressor can ever squash.

Our brightest rainbows today have been Fiji TV and the Fiji Times who have refused to run the news because of interference and heavy handed censorship. To Fussell and Rika and their staff we applaud you for the courage of your convictions.

What can we the people do to support you ?

Practically all we can do is to try and galvanize the rest of Fiji into standing up for our beliefs, our refusal to stay silent & to stand our ground against our new fascist order.

Tomorrow I have a list of practical things we can do in order to help us along the way. If you have any suggestions or news or letters to publish that Lewensky and co are afraid of seeing, please send it through to me at veekaybee@gmail.com or any of the other Fiji freedom blogs so we can broadcast them to the world.

Full Moon in Fiji

Where do we start Ragone ?

Gone for a couple of weeks to the koro and see what happens?

The FULL MOON appeared and the GHOULS came out too.

I must say in amongst the tension of the last week, it was so entertaining to see the demented wanna-be-smarty-pants-bush-lawyer Shyster get her put down in court (vinaka to the learned Judges Randell, Powell and Lloyd for their brilliant synopsis of this gaseous ruminant).

And the whole country breathed collectively with a renewed faith in the justice system when we got handed that wonderful court ruling that said what we the people knew all along - that this bunch of pathetic military me-me cowboys are unlawful, illegal and insignificant and so totally un-exciting but in fact inciting to their own selves (whatever that means, Ema Mua - another really malodorous bovine!)

But of course it WAS full moon when Pyjamas appeared on National TV dressed in bright red combat bula fatigues flanked by Teletubby the preacher commish and NaiPote the permanently drunk secretary(our new great black hopes) complete with that fake bovine look.

We were not fooled for one minute.