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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000993 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2019 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM FJ AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA GRATEFUL FOR U.S. SUPPORT ON FIJI 
 
CANBERRA 00000993  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Edgard Kagan, for reasons 1 
.4 (b),(d) 
 
¶1. (C/NF) Summary: Deeply frustrated with Fijian strongman 
Frank Bainimarama, Australia is determined to maintain its 
policy of isolating Fiji while trying to avoid overreacting. 
Bainimarama's recent expulsion of the Australian and New 
Zealand High Commissioners further confirms Australia's 
conviction that he has no intention of allowing a return to 
democracy, has marginalized anyone who might disagree with 
him and is likely to continue veering towards more irrational 
actions.  Australia is grateful for the strong U.S. public 
opposition to the expulsions and wants to continue 
coordinating with us.  The Australians are still thinking 
through a fuller response and have demarched regional and 
select international capitals as well as the UN for official 
statements condemning the expulsion.  Australia sees the 
situation in Fiji as very bleak, and does not currently see a 
credible voice within the Fijian government who can reason 
with Bainimarama.  Additionally, Australia requests that we 
double track its message to the UN Secretariat opposing the 
appointment of Fijian Colonel Pita Driti as the commander of 
the Fiji Guard Unit in Iraq.  End Summary. 
 
Proportional, Principled Approach 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C/NF) Richard Rowe, Pacific Division First Assistant 
Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
(DFAT), in a November 6 meeting underscored that Australia 
remains committed to its current policy towards Fiji. 
Australia believes it has the correct (and moral) long term 
policy in place.  Rowe said Foreign Minister Smith urged 
proportionality when formulating a response.  He lamented 
that Australia wants to up the pressure on Bainimarama but 
cannot find any practical solutions that do not bring more 
hardship on the Fijian people.  While Australia continues to 
search for intermediate steps, it has taken all the formal 
short term actions it wants. 
 
Grateful for U.S. Support 
------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C/NF) The Australians deeply appreciate U.S. support and 
Rowe emphasized that they want to continue working closely 
with us on Fiji.  In addition to Washington, Australian 
diplomats have demarched all regional capitals, London, the 
EU, Beijing and New Delhi in recent days for statements of 
support that denounce the expulsion.  Many of the Pacific 
islands nations were appalled, Rowe confided, but would not 
likely issue public statements.  Neither China nor India have 
been very helpful according to Rowe. 
 
¶4. (C/NF) Rowe inquired about current U.S. policy towards 
Fiji including our divergent view on the use of Fijian 
soldiers in UN peacekeeping missions.  Pol/Econ Counselor 
stressed that while we understand Australia's position, U.S. 
policy remains unchanged.  When Rowe pressed, Pol/Econ 
Counselor pushed back that replacing the Fijian peacekeepers 
would be very difficult, and that we are looking for steps 
Qwould be very difficult, and that we are looking for steps 
that put pressure on Fiji but are not detrimental to larger 
U.S. interests. 
 
Very Bleak Outlook 
------------------ 
 
¶5. (C/NF) Australia sees dismal prospects for Fiji.  The 
expulsion obliterates any small steps Australia may have been 
able take towards engaging Bainimarama, generally via lower 
level interlocutors.  Rowe said neither Australia nor DFAT's 
trusted Fiji contacts see anyone within the Fijian government 
who could deliver a tough message to Bainimarama, let alone 
stand up to him. 
 
CANBERRA 00000993  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
Request to Demarche UN 
---------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C/NF) Separate but related to the current situation, 
Rowe requested that our UN Mission in New York formally call 
on the UN Secretariat to oppose the appointment of Fijian 
Colonel Pita Driti as the commander of the Fiji Guard Unit in 
Iraq.  Driti was earlier nominated to be Fijian ambassador to 
in Kuala Lumpur but rejected by Malaysia over his human 
rights record.  Rowe said Australia had already met with UN 
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe on 
the matter. 
 
 
CLUNE