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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 SUVA 000543 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016 
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM ASEC CASC FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI UPDATE 12/6: BAINIMARAMA DISSOLVES 
PARLIAMENT, INTIMIDATES VIPS, AND THREATENS FORCE IF 
DISSENT REQUIRES IT 
 
REF: A. SUVA 538 (AND PREVIOUS) 
 
     ¶B. SUVA 539 
     ¶C. STATE 195599 
 
Classified By: Amb. Dinger.  Sec. 1.4 (B,D). 
 
Summary 
------- 
¶1. (C) Commodore Bainimarama swore in his caretaker Prime 
Minister of Fiji Wednesday late afternoon and then dissolved 
Parliament.  He later announced new Commissioners of Police 
and Prisons.  The RFMF moved VP Madraiwiwi out of his office 
today and convinced PM Qarase to relocate, for now, to his 
home in Fiji's Lau Islands.  Cabinet members, including FM 
Tavola, are lying low, awaiting developments.  In a media 
statement, Bainimarama acknowledged that some senior civil 
servants and the Great Council of Chiefs are not cooperating. 
 He threatened that if dissension pushes the RFMF to use 
force, it will do so "very quickly."  Bainimarama and the 
RFMF have endeavored to intimidate, at times quite crudely, 
public servants, the police, and the media.  An effort by 
some to drum up a government of national unity looks unlikely 
to flower.  In a lukewarm reaction, former PM and Fiji Labor 
Party (FLP) head Chaudhry has said he cannot condone 
Bainimarama's coup, but he understands the substantive 
frustrations that motivated it.  End summary. 
 
Bainimarama swears in caretaker PM 
---------------------------------- 
¶2. (C) Just before 5 p.m., RFMF Commander Bainimarama, acting 
in his self-appointed role as executive of Fiji, swore in 
Jone Baravilala Senilagakali as caretaker Prime Minister (see 
ref B).  We found out a bit about Senilagakali from a 
long-time contact who is a close relative of the man.  That 
source reports he is 76 years old.  He is a medical doctor 
who, while semi-retired, serves as a manager for RFMF medical 
funds.  Twenty or more years ago he was Permanent Secretary 
for Health and for Foreign Affairs, and also served at Fiji 
missions in Los Angeles and in Japan.  He is described as 
"not a nationalist," and reportedly he has become close to 
Bainimarama, respecting his views on "moral issues." 
Senilagakali's family had no idea the appointment was coming. 
 His wife and children were embarrassed. 
 
CEOs not cooperating; interim government deferred 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
¶3. (U) In a short media statement after the swearing in, 
Bainimarama said that, on the advice of the caretaker PM, he 
has dissolved Parliament.  Bainimarama announced the 
caretaker government he mentioned last night has been "put on 
hold" because the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) has deferred 
its meeting, earlier scheduled for next week.  Bainimarama 
said ministerial posts for the new government will be 
advertised and anyone can apply.  He stressed the importance 
of the state continuing to function, then noted that a number 
of CEOs are "not cooperating." 
 
RFMF removes VP from office 
--------------------------- 
¶4. (C) We are told RFMF troops entered Vice President 
Madraiwiwi's office today and then escorted him to his 
official residence.  Presumably the action was intended to 
illustrate Bainimarama's announcement last night that he had 
removed the current Government.  It also surely exemplified 
Bainimarama's intense displeasure that the VP wrote the 
statement yesterday decrying the RFMF coup attempt and 
convinced President Iloilo to issue it (ref A), thereby 
frustrating the RFMF intention to argue that the President 
was an accomplice.  We gather Iloilo, himself, has not been 
resettled, but his office and his home are both in Government 
House, and Bainimarama's statement last night indicated an 
intention to have the Great Council of Chiefs re-appoint the 
President (no mention of the VP) in a few weeks. 
 
PM Qarase prodded to depart Suva 
-------------------------------- 
¶5. (C) Fiji PM Qarase flew from Suva's Nausori airport to his 
home island in eastern Fiji's Lau Group early this morning. 
We spoke with him around mid-day by phone and conveyed the 
U.S. statement (ref C).  He appreciated the sentiments. 
Qarase said intelligence reports had indicated the RFMF was 
intending to forcibly remove him from his residence, put him 
on a Fiji Navy ship, and send him off to Lau.  He instead 
made arrangements to fly.  Qarase told us that, with multiple 
 
SUVA 00000543  002 OF 004 
 
 
phone lines in hand, he is keeping in contact with his team 
in Suva.  They are discussing next steps.  Qarase confirmed 
that he has not/not resigned as PM, and he said he intends to 
return to Suva as soon as is reasonable. 
 
FM Tavola is lying low; RFMF hit list 
------------------------------------- 
¶6. (C) We spoke with Foreign Minister Tavola today to let him 
know of the U.S. statement.  He expressed appreciation for 
the American views, but said Bainimarama, unfortunately, is 
"beyond logic.  He doesn't see the full implications of his 
actions.  It is sad."  Tavola said the Cabinet has decided to 
"lie low" as the situation unfolds.  He said the RFMF is 
known to have a "hit list" that includes Attorney General 
Bale, PM CEO Kotobalavu, and others.  Tavola said Bale has 
shifted from his usual lodging.  RFMF troops took Kotobalavu 
from his office to Queen Elizabeth Barracks (QEB) at 
mid-morning. 
 
Bainimarama warns all: cooperate, or else... 
-------------------------------------------- 
¶7. (C) In today's media statement, Bainimarama said the "life 
of the state is threatened" by efforts to stir opposition, 
thus he must regretfully, under the doctrine of necessity, 
derogate from the Constitution's Bill of Rights and declare a 
state of emergency.  He noted that Qarase has continued to 
make statements, as have Acting Police Commissioner Moses 
Driver, Solicitor General Nainendra Nand, Public Service 
Commission (PSC) Chairman Stuart Huggett, Elections 
Commission Chair Karavaki, and others.  Bainimarama said such 
people "do not have the freedom to incite riots" and their 
comments "are not helping create a peaceful transition to a 
democratic government."  He said all parties must cooperate. 
"There is no point in debating legalities, Qarase and his 
cronies are not coming back."  If the RFMF is "pushed to use 
force, it will do so very quickly."  He noted the possibility 
of a curfew.  (Note: In a short chat with the Embassy DATT 
today, Bainimarama said he will impose a curfew beginning 
tonight.)  The RFMF has distributed its Declaration of State 
of Emergency which announces several security measures under 
Bainimarama's name: a two-tier security cordon around Suva; a 
notice that RFMF reserves will march into camps for the 
purpose of being deployed to support the RFMF's current 
efforts; and a grant to RFMF reserves of the right to enforce 
curfews. 
 
Intimidating public servants 
---------------------------- 
¶8. (C) Bainimarama told the DATT he would not meet with 
ministry CEOs today.  Still, RFMF troops reportedly broke up 
a meeting of CEOs with the PSC head Huggett and chief 
Government lawyer Nand this morning, and then, under protest, 
took the group to the RFMF Strategic Headquarters.  Another 
source reports the group was forced to listen to a lecture on 
the military version of "doctrine of necessity."  Huggett, 
head of the PSC, told a contact that someone from the RFMF 
threw him to the ground, then Bainimarama grabbed him by the 
ear and threatened: "don't f*** with the military."  By late 
afternoon, CEOs were reportedly back in their offices, but 
without instructions from the RFMF. 
 
Also attempting to intimidate police 
------------------------------------ 
¶9. (C) RFMF troops forced Acting Police Commissioner Driver 
and the Deputy Commissioner for Crime to go to QEB around 
mid-day, breaking up a meeting of senior Police officers at 
the Police Tactical Response Unit (PTR) headquarters.  The 
two were later released, and Driver told us he had met for 
only 30 seconds with Bainimarama who told him: "stop making 
statements."  With the DATT, Bainimarama said he intends to 
"sack" Driver and appoint new blood at the top ASAP.  In the 
media statement this afternoon, the Commodore announced he 
has appointed BrigGen Naivalurura, until recently head of 
RFMF forces in UNAMI in Iraq, as Commissioner of Prisons, and 
LtCol. (ret.) Jim Koroi as Police Commissioner.  (Note: 
Naivalurura, a highly respected straight shooter, reportedly 
told Bainimarama he would not participate in a coup.  The 
shift to Prisons removes a rival and potential dissident from 
the RFMF.  Koroi is a close advisor to Bainimarama.) 
 
and the media, too 
------------------ 
¶10. (C) Bainimarama told the DATT he didn't force closure of 
the Fiji Times and Fiji TV news last night.  However, when 
 
SUVA 00000543  003 OF 004 
 
 
Qarase appeared on Fiji TV immediately after the coup speech 
(ref B), Bainimarama said, "I had to act."  (Note: we are 
told RFMF troops visited both media organizations, along with 
several others, and insisted on overseeing news reporting. 
The two media organizations refused to comply, preferring to 
close.)  The Fiji Sun tells us no RFMF troops visited them, 
so they went ahead and published today.  They covered 
Bainimarama's speech but declined to run the President's 
statement of opposition.  The editor told us The Sun couldn't 
get confirmation of authenticity from Government House.  The 
Fiji Post, after closing down under reported RFMF threat two 
days ago (ref A), managed to publish a short edition this 
morning.  It had significant news about Bainimarama's speech, 
the President's opposition, and continuing expressions of 
dismay from the public.  The two biggest Fiji radio networks 
had RFMF visitors but continued to report the news, seemingly 
in full.  The head of Fiji's Media Council spoke out publicly 
decrying RFMF efforts to censor free speech and press. 
 
¶11. (U) We hear from media sources that, during the day, 
representatives of the media organizations met with RFMF 
Chief of Staff Teleni, who apologized for the RFMF 
interference.  He said the troops would be removed, and they 
have been.  Teleni tendered a request that "journalism be 
responsible and not incite violence."  The media said they 
would abide by that. 
 
Closing down Parliament 
----------------------- 
¶12. (U) Reportedly, RFMF troops entered Parliament this 
morning during the Senate's sitting and closed it down.  The 
House concluded its fall sitting a couple of weeks ago, after 
passing the budget for 2007.  We have heard the Senate rushed 
to pass the budget yesterday, worried about military 
intentions.  Reportedly, the RFMF escorted Speaker of the 
House Nacuva (a former Ambassador to the U.S.) to QEB, 
joining the crowd there. 
 
Gov't of National Unity? 
------------------------ 
¶13. (C) We hear that Opposition Leader Mick Beddoes, who has 
spoken clearly against the takeover, and Independent Minister 
Rob Irwin are attempting to negotiate a government of 
national unity (GNU), to be composed of parliamentarians, but 
with no Qarase ministers.  The concept would have Qarase step 
down as PM.  Not surprisingly, Qarase reportedly expressed 
reluctance.  (Note: Some 23 of the 36 parliamentarians from 
Qarase's SDL party have been Ministers or State Ministers in 
the current government, including all those considered 
capable of ministerial assignments.  The proposed GNU 
seemingly would be heavy with non-SDL members, obviously not 
very attractive to Qarase.)  We doubt Bainimarama would find 
it particularly attractive either. 
 
Former PM Chaudhry speaks 
------------------------- 
¶14. (U) Fiji Labor Party leader Chaudhry told the media last 
night that he will not serve in an interim government since 
Bainimarama's actions are obviously illegal.  Chaudhry issued 
an FLP media release today calling for the restoration of 
democratic rule ASAP.  Much of the release described in 
detail the faults of the Qarase Government; however, it 
concluded by saying: "Quite simply, we cannot condone coups 
as each coup sets the country back at least 20 years." 
Chaudhry said there is still time to salvage the situation, 
but it will require a genuine desire by those concerned to 
act in the best interest of the nation and its people. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶15. (C) Somewhat surprisingly, Bainimarama in his media 
statement today acknowledged that senior civil servants, the 
GCC, and other malcontents, including Qarase, are frustrating 
his plans.  Not surprisingly, Bainimarama is striving to 
undercut those efforts, including by threats of force. 
Bainimarama's reported mistreatment of PSC head Huggett is a 
disturbing insight into bullying instincts, as were the 
efforts to throttle the media and police.  Qarase's mention 
that his team is discussing next steps and Bainimarama's 
mention of a curfew, etc., indicate impressions that the 
current calm in Suva might heat up a bit.  That said, it 
appears Qarase and his followers accept they would lose if 
they were to create a major public disturbance that could 
give the RFMF an opportunity to justify a hard crack-down. 
 
SUVA 00000543  004 OF 004 
 
 
DINGER