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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SUVA 000527 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016 
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC CASC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 11/30: QARASE SAYS "GENERAL 
AGREEMENT;" BAINIMARAMA REITERATES CLEAN UP TO BEGIN 
 
REF: SUVA 525 
 
Classified By: Amb. Dinger.  Sec. 1.4 (B,D). 
 
Summary 
------- 
¶1. (C) The RFMF spokesman described a tragic accident 
yesterday in which a helo flying off an Australian ship 
crashed in international waters south of Fiji as evidence 
that a foreign invasion is in the works.  (Three Aussie naval 
ships are in the area for evacuation contingencies.)  PM 
Qarase addressed the nation and described a "general 
agreement" on responses to the military's demands.  Qarase 
appears to have bent on many issues, but it also appears he 
attempted to leave maneuvering room for the future.  Qarase 
expressed appreciation that the international community is 
rallying around rule of law in Fiji.  He said he is seeking a 
second meeting, with NZ FM Peters moderating again. 
Commodore Bainimarama responded harshly in early evening, 
stating that the Qarase Government must capitulate by midday 
Friday or face a "clean up" that Bainimarama predicted should 
be a "peaceful transition."  It sounds like the action date 
is Monday, Dec. 4.  A country-team/EAC meeting today 
concluded that the USG is appropriately positioned regarding 
its public announcement and contingency planning.  End 
summary. 
 
Aussie helo crash; RFMF prepares for "invasion" 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
¶2. (C) The RFMF exercise in Suva from midnight to 3 a.m. on 
11/30 apparently went without incident.  The RFMF spokesman 
insisted publicly that the effort was to prepare for an 
expected foreign invasion.  The spokesman pointed to 
yesterday's tragic accident where an Australian military 
helicopter crashed against an Australian naval ship in 
international waters south of Fiji, resulting in one dead and 
one missing, as evidence that the threat is real. 
 
Qarase describes a general agreement 
------------------------------------ 
¶3. (U) PM Qarase briefed the nation on TV and radio at 4:30 
p.m. about the results of his meeting with Bainimarama in 
Wellington. He said the two had a direct engagement on the 
issues in a cordial atmosphere, with the goal being a 
"peaceful and legal settlement" of the military's demands. 
It was the longest meeting they had ever had, at over two 
hours, and it resulted in a "general agreement."  Qarase 
expressed profound appreciation to the GNZ and to God.  He 
said any concessions he made were all in conformance with the 
laws of Fiji.  On the issues, Qarase gave his views on all 
demands: 
 
-- the events of 2000: the two agreed on a public information 
campaign to stress that the events of May and November 2000 
were against the law.  The Great Council of Chiefs is to 
assist.  The Government would welcome RFMF information on 
names and evidence regarding those who committed crimes. 
 
-- the controversial bills: the Government agreed to suspend 
further action on all three bills, pending a detailed legal 
evaluation of their constitutionality.  New Zealand will 
assist in that.  If the current final drafts are 
unconstitutional, the Government will withdraw them.  If 
there is no constitutional hindrance, there will be an 
opportunity to consult and then perhaps continue the 
legislative process. 
 
-- criminal investigations of the military: Qarase stressed 
that the independence of the police and DPP (public 
prosecutor) must be shielded.  The Government will accept 
advice from both on whether prosecutions should proceed, and 
both can factor in whether not proceeding would contribute to 
the greater good.  Asked if he was encouraging "no 
prosecution" findings, Qarase reiterated that authority lies 
with the DPP and police, and the Government will accept their 
advice. 
 
-- firing Police Commissioner Hughes: his contract is nearing 
its end.  As usual, there will be an evaluation of 
performance, and the military will be able to comment before 
a decision is made whether to offer renewal.  Asked why 
Hughes would be taking leave in Australia at a critical time, 
Qarase said he supported the decision, as it was in the best 
interest given the tense and difficult relations Hughes has 
had with Bainimarama recently.  (Note: some media are 
reporting Hughes has resigned.  Qarase gave no such 
 
SUVA 00000527  002 OF 003 
 
 
indication in his speech, and our police sources tell us that 
is not the case, that Hughes intends to resume his job in a 
month.) 
 
-- disbanding the Police Tactical Response Unit: a review 
would be conducted. 
 
-- the Native Land Trust Board commercial arm: there will be 
a review of the scope of the commercial arm.  New Zealand has 
offered to provide specialists to assist. 
 
-- Government good-governance issues: the Government will 
hasten a series of bills aimed to improve government 
performance. 
 
-- Military issues re allowances, etc: an independent 
committee will be created to look into all issues and make 
recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the 
Public Services Commission. 
 
International rallying 
---------------------- 
¶4. (U) On other issues, Qarase gave assurance that the Fiji 
Government's only request to the Pacific Forum ministerial 
meeting to be held in Sydney on Friday is for a declaration 
of support for dialogue to reach resolution of the current 
issues through legal and peaceful means.  Fiji is making no 
request for military intervention.  Qarase then noted a 
public statement from UNSYG Annan, and he read most of a 
public statement by the UNSC President.  He said the 
international community is rallying around Fiji at a pivotal 
moment. 
 
Another meeting? 
---------------- 
¶5. (U) Qarase said he is seeking another meeting with 
Bainimarama and has asked NZ FM Peters to moderate again. 
Qarase is deferring a PIF-related visit to the Solomon 
Islands in order to be available.  Qarase has written to 
Bainimarama to state he would welcome a public statement from 
the RFMF that it will agree to resolve any remaining issues 
without use of force.  Qarase said he had yet to receive a 
reply.  Qarase concluded that his goals are to solve Fiji's 
problems honoring peace, rule of law, democracy, dialogue, 
and consensus. 
 
Bainimarama responds: all lies: clean up to begin 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
¶6. (U) At about 6:20 p.m., Bainimarama went on national radio 
with a media conference in which he insisted that the 
Wellington meeting was a failure and the PM was not 
forthcoming.  Qarase's statement today was "all lies." 
Bainimarama never said yes to anything.  Qarase's proposals 
would keep the current impasse lingering into next year, but 
Bainimarama wants to "fix the impasse straight away."  He 
said one can argue about democracy and rule of law "until the 
cows come home;" but if the Government does not capitulate on 
all demands by midday tomorrow (Friday), the RFMF will begin 
its "clean up."  He indicated the actual date would be a bit 
later.  We gather it is Monday, Dec. 4.  Bainimarama said he 
expects no opposition and the result will be a "peaceful 
transition."  He promised to provide security to all elements 
in Fiji.  He briefly mentioned an "interim government" and 
seemed to indicate in answer to a question that there would 
be no near-term election. 
 
Challenges UN and Biketawa process 
---------------------------------- 
¶7. (U) Bainimarama also addressed the reported threat by 
UNSYG Annan to cut Fiji off from UN peacekeeping, noting that 
nothing of the sort happened in 1987 or 2000.  He said there 
is "no way" the RFMF would permit losing its PKO commitments 
just because of political turmoil.  He accused Qarase and his 
team of pressuring the UN, but said the RFMF won't be 
threatened.  Bainimarama also mentioned tomorrow's Biketawa 
meeting in Sydney, suggesting it is to approve a foreign 
military intervention.  He said if ever foreign troops cause 
even a single RFMF soldier to die, he will hold Qarase, 
Attorney General Bale, and PM CEO Kotabalavu responsible. 
 
UNDP and coordinating security plans 
------------------------------------ 
¶8. (C) The UNDP rep for the Pacific hosted a meeting with 
U.S., UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan reps in 
early afternoon, primarily to discuss security coordination 
issues.  The group agreed to redouble efforts to make sure 
 
SUVA 00000527  003 OF 003 
 
 
contingency planning is being coordinated all around. 
 
Missions' approaches 
-------------------- 
¶9. (C) Australia has now offered "voluntary departure" for 
family members, but not for staff.  The status allows return 
anytime if the person is willing to pay.  New Zealand still 
has family members sited in Nadi, though staff have returned 
to Suva.  The GNZ offered family members a flight to 
Wellington on the NZ Air Force plane that brought PM Qarase 
back from his Wellington meeting.  There were no takers.  NZ 
has not invoked authorized departure.  Per ref, London 
instructed the UK High Commission to offer voluntary 
departure for non-essential staff and dependents.  There were 
no takers.  The French and Japanese have not gone to a 
departure status; however, those of Japan's JICA volunteers 
who are ending their tours are congregating in Nadi.  We held 
a country team/EAC meeting this morning, before the speeches. 
 All agreed that the current U.S. public announcement remains 
appropriate and that authorized departure is not appropriate, 
as yet.  We will meet again first thing in the morning. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶10. (C) Qarase's depiction of a general agreement indicates 
that he bent pretty far on most issues without overtly 
capitulating.  He left openings for achieving something akin 
to his preferred outcomes on everything but the first item re 
publicizing that 2000 was a crime.  Bainimarama's extremely 
negative statement seemed almost unrelated to Qarase's.  The 
Commodore was incoherent at times but certainly left the 
strong impression that he intends to act within the next few 
days, absent the Government's complete capitulation.  He 
expects no active opposition, thus his prediction of a 
"peaceful transition."  If indeed the clean up commences, we 
know the Government, including the police, do not intend to 
overtly challenge it, wanting to evade violence. 
DINGER