P 210537Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1395
INFO AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 
AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 
AMEMBASSY MAJURO 
AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 
AMEMBASSY KOROR 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
AMEMBASSY APIA 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AIT TAIPEI 0033
USEU BRUSSELS
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS SUVA 000303 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL FJ KDEM PINR
 
SUBJECT: FIJI METHODIST LEADERS ARRESTED OVER PLANNING TO HOLD 
BANNED ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING 
 
REF:  A) Suva 00294  B) Suva 152 
 
 
¶1. Summary: Fiji's influential Methodist Church which claims to be 
the largest denomination with 270,000 members decided to defy 
Bainimarama's regime and continue to make plans to convene its 
annual conference from August 30-Sept 4, 2009. Police are 
questioning 9 senior church officials after the church standing 
committee decided July 17 to go ahead with the conference despite a 
ban by the regime.  The Methodist Church, previously thought to lack 
resolve, apparently is prepared to mobilize its flock over a core 
issue - its own financial solvency.  This situation might become the 
first major political challenge to Bainimarama's government.  End 
summary. 
 
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Pastors Determined to Hold Conference 
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¶2. A Methodist Church delegation of senior reverends formally 
informed the head of Rewa Province, former SDL Minister and high 
Chief Ro Teimumu Kepa on Sunday July 19, that its annual conference 
is to go ahead.  The annual conference also is the largest fund 
raising event for Church programs.  On May 28, the regime told the 
Methodist Church and the nation that its 2009 Annual conference 
would not be held. In several meetings in June and early July, the 
last such was July 13, Methodist Church President Rev Ame Tugaue 
appealed personally to de facto Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to 
lift the ban. Despite the detention of the 9 senior officials today, 
contacts say the Church is determined to press on and has 
contingency plans to replace detained leaders in succession. 
 
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Nine Senior Officials Detained by Police 
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¶3. The nine senior officials currently detained by Police Criminal 
Investigation Department (CID) are the General Secretary Rev 
Tuikilakila Waqairatu, his deputy Rev Tevita Nawadra, Rev Apete Toko 
- head of Mens Ministry, Rev Ilisoni Vunisuwai - head of the 
Evangelical Department, Rev Simione Koli - Divisional 
Superintendent, Suva, Rev Josefa Katonibau - Head of the 
Education/Schools Dept, Rev William Lucas - Head of the Indian 
Division, Biu Gonelevu - Senior Accountant and the Secretary of the 
Trust accounts of the Church a Livai Tuisaravere. 
 
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Support of the Traditional Hierarchy 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶4. The paramount chief of Rewa Province, which is hosting the 
conference, Ro Teimumu Kepa made an official statement today 
confirming Rewa's intention to host the conference and calling for 
calm and non-violent action. Knowing her statement would not be 
publicized in the local media, it was made available to Fiji's 
largest social networking website www.matavuvale.com which has over 
11,000 members worldwide. Kepa called on the people of Rewa to 
remain steadfast and that their agreement with the Methodist Church 
was to stand. Kepa acknowledged the support of other high chiefs, in 
particular a high chief of Kubuna confederacy, who accompanied the 
Methodist delegation. Kepa herself heads the Burebasaga confederacy 
while the head of the third confederacy, former SDL Lands/Fijian 
Affairs Minister Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, reportedly sent a message 
to all the chiefs of his province, to support Rewa and the Methodist 
church. 
 
¶5. Comment:  Given the resolve of the Methodist Church and its 
parishioners to openly defy the ban on the conference, the regime 
may resort to closing church offices and freezing its accounts and 
finances.  The Methodist Church, previously thought to lack resolve, 
apparently is prepared to mobilize its flock over a core issue - its 
own financial solvency.  This situation might become the first major 
political challenge to Bainimarama's government.  End Comment. 
 
MCGANN