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O 010004Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3394
INFO RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
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RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 1116

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000466 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2016 
TAGS: PREL MARR CASC ASEC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI MILITARY GRABS AMMO FROM WHARF; PM ADDRESSES 
NATION 
 
REF: A. SUVA 463 
 
     ¶B. SUVA 462 
     ¶C. SUVA 460 (AND PREVIOUS) 
 
Classified By: Amb. Dinger.  Sec. 1.4 (B,D). 
 
Summary 
------- 
¶1. (C) Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) troops seized 
a container of ammunition without police permission on Nov. 
¶1.  PM Qarase held National Security Council and Cabinet 
meetings, and then addressed the nation.  He reviewed 
friction with RFMF Commander Bainimarama, but did not mention 
the President's suspension order.   Qarase said there is 
absolutely no question of the Government stepping down.  The 
PM is open to further dialogue with the RFMF in an effort to 
resolve pending issues, and Qarase intends to convene a Great 
Council of Chiefs meeting next week.  Qarase applauded 
statements of support for Fiji's democracy by Australia, New 
Zealand, and the U.S.  He predicted "dire consequences" if 
the Army fails to behave.  Finally, he noted a possibility of 
inviting Pacific Island Forum intervention (akin to RAMSI in 
the Solomons).  End summary. 
 
Army seizes ammo without permit 
------------------------------- 
¶2. (C) A contingent from the Republic of Fiji military Forces 
(RFMF) marched onto Suva's wharf on the morning of Nov. 1 and 
seized a container of ammunition that Fiji Police 
Commissioner Hughes had declined to release (see reftels). 
Hughes reportedly thought he had a deal cut with RFMF 
leadership for a press event at which RFMF Acting Commander 
Teleni would announce a military guarantee not to use the 
ammo against the Fiji Government.  Hughes has told the media 
he was prepared to release the ammo once that public 
guarantee was made.  However, at the last minute, Teleni 
declined to appear.  Reportedly, RFMF troops in full battle 
gear went onto the wharf, took control of the container, and 
transported it to a military facility.  Per ref C, Hughes has 
ordered police not to confront the RFMF, fearing bloodshed. 
None occurred. 
 
NSC meeting discusses options 
----------------------------- 
¶3. (S) We are told that at a National Security Council 
meeting on the morning of Nov. 1 members discussed options 
for next steps.  One idea was to initiate an international 
arrest warrant.  Another was to see if the regional mechanism 
utilized under Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) auspices to launch 
the RAMSI regional response in the Solomons might be invoked 
preemptively in Fiji.  When Police Commissioner Hughes was 
asked if police could guarantee security, he admitted they 
cannot if the RFMF is the initiator of problems.  PM Qarase 
later held a meeting with his multi-party cabinet. 
 
PM addressing the nation 
------------------------ 
¶4. (U) Prime Minister Qarase addressed the nation on TV and 
radio at 5 p.m.  For the first day and a half since President 
Iloilo's suspension order for RFMF Commander Bainimarama, 
there had been no public statements by the government. 
Everyone in Fiji was aware from media accounts and gossip 
that civil-military tensions are high.  The PM didn't mention 
at all the President's suspension order against Bainimarama, 
perhaps to save the President's face.  Qarase did note 
repeated threats by Bainimarama to overthrow the government, 
which have engendered a police investigation. 
 
Questions about Bainimarama motives 
----------------------------------- 
¶5. (U) The PM declared he has been patient and has tried to 
engage in dialogue with Bainimarama, but he got the 
impression the Commodore "expected me virtually to follow his 
orders."  Qarase noted Bainimarama's expansive view of the 
military's role and observed that the Government has referred 
the issue to the Supreme Court for a conclusive finding. 
Qarase acknowledged the Commodore's complaints about 
corruption, and said he, the PM, has taken a strong stand 
against such.  He speculated that such complaints may really 
be cover for an agenda to overthrow the Government.  He asked 
if unscrupulous people with selfish agendas are manipulating 
Bainimarama. 
 
No resignation; open to dialogue 
-------------------------------- 
 
SUVA 00000466  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶6. (U) Qarase stated, "I declare that there is absolutely no 
question of me resigning in response to the current 
situation, or of my Government stepping down."  He said his 
Government has the constitutional authority and support of 
the people.  Qarase said the Army is an important 
institution, with a proud tradition of peacekeeping.  He 
offered to enter dialogue with the Army yet again on military 
concerns with a view to "finding resolutions that serve the 
best interests of Fiji," but also with the proviso that 
nobody is above the law. 
 
Great Council of Chiefs next week 
--------------------------------- 
¶7. (C) Qarase said he intends to call a Great Council of 
Chiefs (GCC) meeting next week, and noted that, per ref A, 
one agenda item may be whether to withdraw controversial 
legislation from Parliament.  (Note: we hear another item may 
be whether to replace President Iloilo with someone who might 
be able to whip the RFMF into line.)  Qarase noted a wish to 
tap chiefly wisdom in the current crisis.  (Note: The GCC, 
made up of high chiefs from each of Fiji's 14 ethnic-Fijian 
provinces, has played an influential role at times.) 
 
International, including U.S., support 
-------------------------------------- 
¶8. (U) Qarase noted that the international environment today 
is "totally different" from past coup years of 1987 and 2000. 
 Now the international community is more active in protecting 
democratic governments.  Qarase reported that Australia, New 
Zealand, and the U.S. (State's press statement) have come out 
"very strongly in support of the maintenance of democracy and 
constitutional rule in Fiji."  Qarase predicted "dire 
consequences" for Fiji if the Army fails to behave, including 
for the tourism industry.  He noted that "there is every 
likelihood (a coup) would severely prejudice the continued 
participation by Fiji in international peacekeeping 
operations." 
 
Invoking Biketawa, a la RAMSI? 
------------------------------ 
¶9. (C) Finally, Qarase referred to the Pacific Island Forum's 
Biketawa Declaration that provides a mandate for member 
governments to intervene during a crisis on invitation. 
(Note: we hear Fiji is exploring whether the procedure might 
be invoked preemptively.) 
 
Volunteer intermediaries...with an agenda? 
------------------------------------------ 
¶10. (C) Reportedly, three former RFMF Commanders -- Ratu 
Epeli Nailatikau, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, and Paul Manueli -- 
have volunteered to reconcile the differences between the 
Government and the RFMF.  Rumors are rife that at least 
Ganilau and Manueli have been part of the problem in recent 
weeks, egging Bainimarama on. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶11. (C) The streets of Suva were quiet today, though 
nervousness abounds.  The Embassy had a formal EAC meeting to 
reconfirm tripwires and contingency plans.  Note: we hear 
from the Aussies that they have 12 military personnel 
arriving Thursday to assist with contingency planning, 
including evacuation scenarios.  We asked the Aussies to 
please coordinate with our Embassy and PACOM. 
DINGER