R 200345Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1122
INFO AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 
AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMCONSUL SYDNEY 
USEU BRUSSELS
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
SECDEF WASHDC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK

UNCLAS SUVA 000102 
 
 
PLEASE PASS TO EAP/ANP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL FJ KDEM
 
SUBJECT: FIJI'S LEADERS MEETING SETS STAGE FOR A PALAVER 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: In a series of meetings with Fijian political and 
government leaders, EAP/ANP Director Alcy Frelick heard a wide range 
of views about the recent Leaders of Political Parties (LOPP) 
meeting held on March 13, in which all of Fiji's political parties 
participated.  Although the views were widely disparate, all seemed 
to agree on the potential usefulness of the LOPP and the President's 
Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF) process.  End summary. 
 
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DEPOSED PM QARASE - A CHANCE TO TALK 
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¶2. (SBU) In the first of a series of meetings between ANP Director 
Alcy Frelick and Fijian leaders, deposed Prime Minister Laisenia 
Qarase gave a bleak assessment of Fiji's political and economic 
deterioration under the leadership of Interim Prime Minister Frank 
Bainimarama.  On the political front, Qarase stressed that the 
outlook did not look good, but there was a window of opportunity in 
the President Political Dialogue Forum, which political leaders 
discussed at the March 13 LOPP meeting.  Fiji's interim government 
(IG) convened the LOPP for the purpose of setting the terms for more 
formal PPDF meetings to follow, which will be under the aegis of the 
United Nations and the British Commonwealth. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Qarase opined that this was the only hope for a peaceful 
return to a more representational government.  However, he added 
that he had little hope that this would succeed with what he 
described as a psychologically and emotionally desperate Bainimarama 
wanting to hold onto power at any cost.  He said that he disagreed 
with allowing the participation in the LOPP of even the tiniest 
political parties, since they were only included to support the IG's 
agenda.  He insisted that the views of the main parties be given 
more weight.  Stressing the importance of the next LOPP Meeting, now 
scheduled for April 9, he said that it is important to come to an 
agreement to ensure credibility.  Notwithstanding his views that the 
dialogue was an opportunity, he commented that the PM has broken so 
many promises over the past two years that little trust remains. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Discussing the country's economy, Qarase said it is in 
serious trouble, with foreign reserves at their lowest level and no 
signs of improvement.  While Fiji has yet to feel the full impact of 
the global economic crisis, he said that tourism, a priority sector, 
has already declined.  Moreover, sugarcane, another key industry and 
source of foreign currency, has continued to languish under the 
European Union's refusal to release funds to the sugar industry, 
which could lead to the industry's collapse. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Qarase commented that he initially thought that Bainimarama 
should be tried for treason once a civilian government returns. 
However, for the good of the nation, an exit strategy for 
Bainimarama including amnesty might be the way out. This was the 
same deal offered to Rabuka. 
 
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FLP'S VAYESHNOI - MOVING TOWARD A POLITICAL SOLUTION 
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¶5. (SBU) Fiji Labour Party (FLP) Assistant Secretary General Lekh 
Vayeshnoi had a more optimistic opinion about the dialogue than 
Qarase.  While commenting a number of times that the FLP had always 
maintained a consistent stand against extra-constitutional 
governments, he stressed the need for reforms before returning to an 
elected government.  He said that with the situation progressing 
toward the President's Political Dialogue Forum, he is confident 
that the country is moving toward a political resolution.  According 
to Vayeshnoi, Bainimarama's  statements that the country is at a 
crossroads, both economically and politically, and that a solution 
must be found, , showed a genuine commitment by the IG and was well 
received by all parties. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Vayeshnoi urged the international community not to 
implement sanctions that would hurt the people and stressed that if 
convincing progress is made, there would be no need for 
international involvement.  He did say that elections must be held, 
as Fiji cannot continue its isolation, and that these elections 
could come about 18 months after the PPDF. 
 
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AG SAYED-KHAIYUM - DIALOGUE IS THE WAY FORWARD 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶7. (SBU) Echoing his statement at January's PIF, Interim Attorney 
General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum took the opportunity to point out 
perceived inconsistencies in the international community's policies 
against the IG as compared to previous "interruptions to Fiji's 
governance."  He also made the argument that Fiji's high court had 
held that President Iloilo's appointment of the IG was legal, 
whatever the merits of the December 2006 coup.  He praised the LOPP 
as the way forward but gave little indication that the PM would 
compromise on his position on electoral reform, stressing that the 
majority of political parties support reform.  He added that the 
IG-sponsored manifesto Peoples Charter for Change had a 64% approval 
rating and was also endorsed by the president.  He said that once 
the new electoral system is implemented, it would be another 12 -15 
months before elections could take place. 
 
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PERM SECS CHAND AND LIGAIRI - STAYING OUT OF POLITICS 
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¶8. (SBU) On the eve of his transfer to the Public Service 
Commission, Permanent Secretary for the Prime Minister Parmesh Chand 
was less enthusiastic about the dialogue and simply said that what 
counts is how successful it is in halting the country's downward 
spiral.  Commenting on the economic situation in Fiji, he said that 
remittances were significantly down because of the global economic 
crisis, and the lack of investment and confidence in Fiji was 
showing after more than two years under the IG.  He said that if 
dates for an election could be announced, it might help end the EU's 
hold on assistance to the sugar industry and inspire some investor 
confidence.  Stressing the need for a timeframe, Chand noted that 
"everyone else is moving on" and so reform needs to happen. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Ross 
Ligairi stressed that he was just a civil servant and that his role 
was to explain to other countries, including the Pacific Islands 
Forum, the nature of the situation in Fiji.  The country, he said, 
is in a delicate and fragile state, and the international community 
must keep that in mind.  Speaking of the LOPP, and eventually the 
PPDF, he said the main task will be electoral reform.  Ligairi 
commented that he is very optimistic going forward, saying a road 
map is now developing, which is something Fiji did not have before. 
 
¶10.  (U) EAP/ANP Director Alcy Frelick departed Fiji before seeing 
this cable. 
 
MCGANN