VZCZCXRO0343
RR RUEHPB
DE RUEHSV #0109/01 0750138
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 160138Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2975
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1168
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0963
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0789
RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SUVA 000109 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR PHUM FJ
SUBJECT: MILITARY INSERTS ITSELF INTO FIJI'S ELECTION 
CAMPAIGN, LASHES OUT AT POLICE 
 
REF: A. SUVA 072 AND PREVIOUS 
 
     ¶B. SUVA 009 
     ¶C. SUVA 098 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR LARRY M. DINGER.  SECTIONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary: In the run-up to May's elections, the war 
of words between the government and military in Fiji 
continues to intensify.  In radio and print interviews over 
the past week, Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) 
Commander, Frank Bainimarama, issued a series of blasts 
against the government, saying by merging with the 
nationalist CAMV political party and continuing to advocate 
"racist" policies, the ruling SDL "is continuing the same 
(nationalist) lies" that led to the 2000 coup.  Bainimarama 
has ordered RFMF representatives to visit many of Fiji's 
villages as part of a pre-election "truth campaign" aimed, 
apparently, at discrediting the SDL.  In a written statement 
issued March 13, PM Qarase condemned Bainimarama's recent 
statements as well as the RFMF "truth campaign" as 
"interference in the government and political affairs of 
Fiji" and as a threat to the conduct of free elections.  On 
March 14, the RFMF lashed out at Fiji's Commissioner of 
Police, Australian Andrew Hughes, alleging that a recent 
purchase of weapons by the police amounted to "deliberately 
arming Fijians against Fijians."  Most Fiji media have 
reported both sides of this debate in a reasonably balanced 
way.  All three major newspapers have criticized Bainimarama 
for improper military involvement in a civil election 
campaign and/or his attack on the Police.   End summary 
 
Bainimarama Turns Up the Rhetoric 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  While the RFMF has backed off its previous stance 
that elections in Fiji must be delayed until a new census is 
undertaken (ref A), it has apparently decided to play an 
active role in the election campaign.  In extensive radio and 
print interviews during the past week, Commodore Bainimarama 
unleashed another torrent of criticism against the 
government.  (Note: soon after the radio broadcast, 
State-owned Fiji Broadcasting Limited fired the talk-show 
host who interviewed Bainimarama, stating the host had 
violated editorial policies in arranging and conducting the 
interview.)  Bainimarama told the Fiji Times newspaper on 
March 13 that the ruling SDL's "continuous bowing to the 
nationalist elements in its government...has brought us to 
loggerheads."  Bainimarama said the RFMF had assumed when it 
put Qarase in power (in 2000, as interim PM), that Qarase and 
the SDL would educate the people against the nationalist 
elements that had led to the 2000 coup.  "Instead, they have 
done the opposite, continuing the lies that forced our rural 
people from the villages into Parliament," (i.e. participated 
in taking over Parliament in 2000). 
 
Military Starts "Truth Campaign" 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Bainimarama announced March 10 that the RFMF would 
launch a "truth campaign" through the media and visits to 
villages.  The campaign, he said, will target governmental 
policies that contravene the constitution.  RFMF Spokesman 
Lt. Colonel Orisi Rabukawaqa later insisted the campaign 
would not be targeted against the SDL per se, but would focus 
on the need for good leadership and good governance.  The 
military wants to ensure, he continued, that the nationalist 
events of 2000 are not repeated.  Another military spokesman, 
Captain Neumi Leweni, told us March 14 that the "truth 
campaign" in villages is a continuation of an ongoing 
military public relations effort to educate villagers on 
democracy and the rule of law.  He said several military 
teams are already visiting villages and are counseling 
prospective voters to "make a wise choice" in the elections. 
 
A Broadside Against the Police 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  On March 14, the RFMF released an unexpected 
broadside against the Police, reprising a claim made earlier 
this year (ref B) that the police were being improperly armed 
by the government in order to counterbalance the military. 
The RFMF press release claimed that, in acquiring these arms, 
Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes "is impinging on the 
sovereignty of this country by deliberately arming Fijians 
against Fijians."  The RFMF also alleged that Hughes (an 
Australian) was taking part in an Australian-led effort to 
shrink the size of Fiji's military.  "The RFMF wishes to 
state that Mr. Hughes is a silent extension of the Australian 
 
SUVA 00000109  002 OF 003 
 
 
Defence White Paper where it had recommended that the role of 
the military in Fiji be siphoned off to the Police and that 
its strength be reduced to 100 men for ceremonial purposes 
only."  The RFMF media release concluded that "the RFMF 
wishes to advise the Commissioner of Police together with his 
tactical response team that they are merely creating an 
environment which if allowed to escalate will be 2nd November 
2000 (the date of an attempted mutiny against the RFMF 
leadership) all over again but in a much bigger scale." 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Comment:  The reference to a "white paper" 
apparently refers to a draft "Security and Defense Review" 
conducted in Fiji in 2003-2004.  According to contacts at the 
Australian High Commission, the draft review was mainly 
funded by the Government of Fiji, although Australia provided 
and funded one of three panel members - the Chairperson.  The 
RFMF declined to participate in the review.  Among other 
recommendations, the draft called for decreasing the size of 
the RFMF by about 20%.  The draft did not suggest that the 
RFMF should be made into a force only used for ceremonial 
purposes.  End Comment. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Other events took place March 14-15 that may or 
may not be related to the RFMF criticism of the police.  On 
the evening of March 14, the Police Tactical Response Team 
(PTRT, the unit receiving much of the new equipment) received 
an anonymous call warning that a move was about to be made 
against the Team.  On the morning of March 15, RFMF 
operational forces staged an armed "stand to" readiness 
drill, which caught Suva's attention.  An RFMF spokesman said 
the drill was routine, but observers wondered if it was also 
a signal of RFMF resolve. 
 
¶7.  (C)  Hughes, who has had a good working relationship with 
Bainimarama, told reporters he was surprised by the content 
and tone of the media release, and disappointed the RFMF had 
taken the issue to the media instead of conferring with him. 
The press release, he said, was factually incorrect.  All of 
the equipment ordered was standard for police department SWAT 
teams throughout the world.  Hughes held a press conference 
March 15 in which he again reviewed the uses of the equipment 
the police had purchased.  "We are not arming Fijians against 
Fijians but arming the police to deal with criminals." 
Hughes told Embassy's Assistant Legatt on March 15 that the 
RFMF has long known about the police equipment.  In fact, 
Bainimarama and other RFMF officers had been scheduled to 
visit police headquarters to observe the PTRT and its new 
equipment on March 10, but canceled at the last minute. 
Hughes said he would be meeting Bainimarama to discuss the 
RFMF statement on March 16. 
 
Qarase Says Military's Actions are Undemocratic, Claims 
Rival Political Parties are Urging the RFMF on 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  A spokesman for PM Qarase's SDL party told 
reporters on March 13 that the party had sent a letter of 
complaint about Bainimarama's comments to the President, 
Police Commissioner, Director of Public Prosecutions, 
Attorney General and the Supervisor of Elections.  The 
spokesman alleged that Bainimarama's statements against the 
government and the RFMF's "truth campaign" are a blatant 
attempt to corrupt the electoral process.  Fiji's Electoral 
Commission also lodged a complaint with the police, stating 
the RFMF had breached election laws and its actions 
threatened free and fair elections.  Media reports indicate 
that PM Qarase met with Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi 
March 14, in part to discuss the Commander's recent 
statements.  Fiji's National Security Council also met 
several times in the last week. 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  In a full page statement issued March 13 and 
printed in all three major newspapers, PM Qarase called 
Bainimarama's recent remarks "undemocratic and unwarranted." 
"The Commander's stated intention of involving the military 
in the national election campaign is a threat to peace and 
stability, and the conduct of free elections."  Qarase also 
called the military's campaign an unauthorized and illegal 
spending of public money.  Qarase asserted that rival 
political parties (read: Mahendra Chaudhry's FLP) are 
encouraging Bainimarama's actions.  "Political parties and 
others who are encouraging the Commander are doing the 
country and the people a great disservice.. .They are not 
concerned about the future of democracy and the rule of law 
in Fiji." 
 
Media Criticize RFMF for Crossing the Line 
------------------------------------------- 
 
SUVA 00000109  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  The continuing war of words between the 
government and the RFMF has dominated headlines the past 
week.  Reporting has been relatively balanced, with the 
statements of both government and the RFMF accurately 
reported. Editorials and op-eds in all three major newspapers 
criticized Bainimarama's campaign.  The Fiji Sun (at times 
critical of the current government) stated that "the military 
cannot have a role in the 2006 election."  "Even those who 
agree with what the commander has to say feel aggrieved that 
he has entered the political arena."  The pro-government Fiji 
Post demanded action to deal with "the recalcitrant, 
irredeemable, backstabbing commander."  After the RFMF's 
attack on the police, the Fiji Times wrote that Bainimarama 
"has now stepped beyond the limits of decency and 
professionalism."  "More and more people are beginning to 
wonder if something is amiss up at Queen Elizabeth Barracks." 
 
 
On Top of All This, A Serious Family Issue 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶11.  (SBU)  Meanwhile, media and police sources report that 
Commodore Bainimarama has involved himself in an 
indecent-assault trial in Nadi by confronting the accused and 
ordering his armed body guards to position themselves 
intimidatingly close in court.  According to a reliable 
source, the victim in the case is a close relative of the 
Commander.  The attorney for the accused has filed a 
complaint against Bainimarama. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶12. (C)  Still more than seven weeks before the elections, 
tensions are high in Fiji.  Many people believe Bainimarama 
has stepped beyond the reasonable bounds of the military's 
role in a democratic process by his recent statements and the 
RFMF's "truth" campaigning.  The government and PM Qarase's 
party have responded by calling on the newly reappointed 
President to rein in the Commander.  Whether the President 
will make that attempt and how the RFMF would respond remain 
uncertainties. 
 
DINGER