P R 172320Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY APIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0393
AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY SUVA PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY PRIORITY 
INFO AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 
AMEMBASSY APIA

UNCLAS APIA 000007 
 
 
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO EAP/ANP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL SOCI PINR WS
SUBJECT: FIJI COUP 2009: A SAMOAN VIEW 
 
¶1. Summary:  Samoa, and those in Samoa, have a keen interest in 
Fiji, observing events there through a Polynesian prism-when a 
member of the Pacific family acts out, other family members can 
and should be the most critical, "outsiders'" criticisms are 
considered less valid (and perhaps also less vexing to those 
criticized).  Observers here are critical of events in Fiji, 
worried about what will happen, but pessimistic that any 
improvement or change in direction is imminent.  End of summary. 
 
¶2. Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi 
has been vocal in his criticism of the actions of Commodore 
Frank Bainimarama.  On April, 14 (Samoa time, it would have been 
April 15 in Fiji), in response to the events of the past week, 
Tuilaepa condemned the abrogation of the constitution, saying it 
was the work of a dictator, that the Fijian president had acted 
under duress of pressure from Bainimarama. PM Tuilaepa went so 
far as to say Bainimarama is mentally ill, exhibiting typical 
behaviors and attitudes of dictators throughout history.  A 
highly placed Samoan contact later said the statement, as 
reported in the press, was somewhat different from the original 
Samoan version, as it suffered a bit in translation.  PM 
Tuilaepa was not saying the man is clinically mentally ill, but 
acting "crazy" since his behavior has no positive outcome, and 
he's pretty much eliminating any face-saving exits from the 
situation. 
 
¶3. PM Tuilaepa's criticisms are motivated by a number of 
factors.  As he's fond of saying, Bainimarama's grandmother was 
Samoan, so he has a right and duty to criticize this "cousin." 
Samoa takes its emerging role in the Pacific, including having a 
Samoan as head of the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat 
seriously, and is more than willing to take a leadership 
position, even if it means being vocally critical of another 
leader.  Samoa is proud of its status as the first Pacific 
island nation to gain its independence, and feels its commitment 
to democracy since then gives it the right to speak with 
authority on the subject, and finally, he's been personally 
insulted on a number of occasions by the actions of Bainimarama 
or his emissaries.  The man is not happy.  He's also insulted by 
insinuations by Bainimarama that his criticisms come from being 
in the pocket of New Zealand and Australia (and to a lesser 
degree, the United States). 
 
¶4. It's not just the Samoan government and leadership with a 
focus on Fiji, the concern is widespread.  The media, especially 
the newspapers (in part motivated by concern about and close 
personal connections to journalists in Fiji), give a lot of 
attention to the subject.  But so do others.  At a recent 
gathering of heads of NGOs in Apia, three of the attendees (two 
Samoans and one other Pacific Islander) with significant 
experience in Fiji, spoke extensively on the subject.  One was 
critical of PM Tuilaepa's comments, saying they certainly did 
not help matters - although I believe he meant with coaxing 
Bainimarama to change.  In fact others have said support from 
Samoa is encouraging to Fijians trying to gauge foreign 
reactions.  Tuilaepa has said repeatedly that the final solution 
will come when the people of Fiji, especially the churches, see 
that they have a role in tossing Bainimarama out.  The three 
pretty much indicated their opinion is that the general 
population of Fiji is far, far from being desperate enough to do 
that yet.  One said the population would not take that kind of 
action until 50 percent of the people were starving. They also 
said, in response to the currency devaluation, and general 
fiscal situation, that the banks may complain, but they'll 
gladly continue making big profits, and named Westpac and ANZ in 
particular. 
 
¶5. Samoa looking pretty good about now.  The three NGO reps 
mentioned above commented how many friends from Fiji contact 
them asking about the option of moving to Samoa. This week it 
was announced that the press freedom event UNESCO had scheduled 
to be held in Fiji in early May will be moved to Samoa.  This is 
just the latest in a string of organizations, events, and 
individuals considering Samoa in an increasingly positive light. 
Samoa, while much less cosmopolitan, less developed and without 
the transportation and shipping connections of Fiji, is 
attracting positive attention from businesses, regional 
organizations and individuals looking for democratic stability. 
There has always been a strong connection.  With a safe and 
vibrant economy, not to mention its close distance to Fiji 
(legend has it an ancient deity-giant left matching footprints 
in Samoa and Fiji), Fijians have, since the 1987 coup, seen 
Samoa as an attractive destination. The movement from Fiji to 
Samoa has been increasing, and with recent events, seems nowhere 
near slowing. Both indigenous and Indo-Fijians are included, 
with the Indo-Fijians perhaps more heavily represented. Many 
have taken up management posts in large private companies, but 
often keep a low profile, not really integrating socially with 
locals. Only a handful of Fijians have been "brave" in 
attempting to set up their own business due to uncertainty of 
Samoan reaction; most of these have occurred in partnership with 
a local Samoan. A fair number of the Fijians in Samoa are 
directly or indirectly involved with the booming Samoan tourism 
industry especially new tourist activities such as spas. Some 
have come as teachers or accountants or to work in IT positions. 
At the other end of the economic spectrum, some have migrated to 
Samoa as, for instance, nannies to mainly the expat and business 
community. 
 
¶6. The Fijian/Samoan connection also goes the other way.  Most 
of the doctors in Samoa were trained (at least their basic 
training) in Fiji. The majority of the Samoa's  white collar 
workforce, including the majority of government employees, were 
educated at the regional University of the South Pacific in 
Suva, Fiji where Samoa sends 80% of its scholarship awardees 
annually.  In the past 10 years, all of Samoa's medical doctors 
have attended the Fijian School of Tropical Medicine instead of 
more expensive schools in Papua New Guinea, Australia, New 
Zealand, or the United States. 
 
¶7. Samoa's interest in, and focus on Fiji and the events there 
are not likely to lessen any time soon, especially with the 
Commodore providing such interesting material. 
 
 
YEAGER