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NFP'S 'LITTLE COWARD' takes over from Tikoduadua as new President. Parmod Chand was warned by then RFMF Chief of Staff Jone Kalouniwai to STOP attacking RFMF. Chand was accused of assisting Speight rebels

20/8/2023

Fijileaks: Shortly after George Speight's failed coup, the 'Father McEvoy Report' detailed the atrocities committed against Indo-Fijians during the 2000 crisis. The Report also covered Vanualevu including Seaqaqa, a cane growing area. Most Indo-Fijian victims accused Parmod Chand, "a bus company owner who owned farms in Seaqaqa, of financing the rebels".

The Devil Really Does Walk Among Us: Biman Prasad was waxing lyrical about his Coalition with PAP and SODELPA, with Gavoka claiming his party looks up to the NFP. Well, SODELPA wants 2000 failed Coupist GEORGE SPEIGHT freed, whose coup spawned an orgy of rapes and defilement of Indo-Fijian women on par, if not worse, than following Coupist Sitiveni Rabuka's 1987 Coups.
Never in the history of NFP, we have a leader who shamelessly refuses to resign while his sexual harassment case against the wife of the party's provisional candidate is pending in the Fiji High Court.
Many may not recall, or choose to forget in the NFP, that the party's founding father A. D. Patel had once allegedly famously threatened to shoot another future party leader for 'running away with Patel's wife'.
*Isa, attempted snatching of party colleagues WIVES is fair game.

[Indo-Fijian] Woman to ABC, 4 February 2001- Fiji: Encore for a Coup:
'Then these two men came and got hold of me, and they started to pull me, started hitting me, started to tear my clothes. And then they took me to the back of the house, and that's where they RAPED me. I was crying to help. I asked them to leave me because I had two kids, but they wouldn't listen to me. I begged them, they would not let me go. They did swear at me the day they raped me. They swore in Fijian. They told us 'You're Indian motherfuckers'.

"It was 10 o'clock in the night. The kids were watching TV and I was with them, just lying on my bed. Then all of a sudden there was a very big sound, the sound of a gun. By then they were inside the house. We were really scared, really frightened, we all started to scream, we all were crying for help. They were bashing us up, kicking us. They told us to keep quiet. I didn't know what to do so I decided to grab my daughter's hand. I grabbed her and I ran, opened the front door and we ran out. And I told my daughter that she had to run to the neighbour, and then I realised my son was still inside the house, so I was trying to run towards my son, and I could not get to him. I heard he was crying for help. Then these two men came and got hold of me, and they started to pull me, started hitting me, started to tear my clothes. And then they took me to the back of the house, and that's where they raped me. I was crying to help. I asked them to leave me because I had two kids, but they wouldn't listen to me. I begged them, they would not let me go. They did swear at me the day they raped me. They swore in Fijian. They told us 'You're Indian motherfuckers'. My daughter still can't sleep in the night, still having the nightmares. She'll wake up in the night, 2 o'clock in the morning, and she will cry because they've seen these Fijians raping the mother. Especially my son, because they tore my clothes into pieces and I was lying naked there, and my son was the one who brought me clothes and put clothes on for me."

From Fijileaks Archives, 30 October 2017

“I just want to raise concerns about the continuous comments the Honourable Member of Parliament Parmod Chand keeps making. He is always bringing in the RFMF in his political remarks and we are questioning his motive and the question I ask myself is what is he trying to prove. Mr Parmod Chand’s comments about the RFMF is for political leverage, to gain popularity and votes for elections. The race card is out of the window so his focus has become the Prime Minister and the RFMF. This shows his political immaturity” -
RFMF Chief of Staff, Colonel RATU Jone Kalouniwai

"Seven people if I’m not mistaken, with one outsider, were able to take the guns out and carry out the coup. He [Frank Bainimarama] failed in his responsibility. He totally failed… absolutely failed in taking command and control of the Fiji Military Forces. So basically what I’m saying, he is not fit as the Commander of the army. He was a very unfit person. He should have resigned. Simple. Secondly, it took him 56 days to free the hostages. And then he’s going around the nation telling that he is the saviour of the nation? What kind of a saviour? What kind of a leader is he? Why couldn’t he get rid of 7 CRW soldiers with an outsider and some people in the Parliament House, in a few days? Why does it take him 56 days? That’s a big question mark.”
Parmod Chand, in Parliament, 2017

During the mutiny trial, Shane Stevens at one point had claimed that Sitiveni Rabuka was behind the bloody 2 November 2000 mutiny. Rabuka denied the claim and he was subsequently acquitted of two counts of inciting mutiny after a jury panel of five civilian assessors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The assessors had delivered a split, non-binding decision. Two assessors thought Rabuka had been guilty of both counts. One found him innocent of both counts. The final two found he was not guilty of the first count but guilty of the second.The Fiji Court of Appeal, led by Justice Gordon Ward, upheld the verdict of Justice Gerard Winter of the Fiji High Court. Under the laws of Fiji, judges can disregard the findings of the assessors.
Outside the Fiji High Court, a smiling Rabuka after he was acquitted of the mutiny charges, said he was retiring from public life to set up a
water bottling business to be called "Silk Tail".
In 1987, he was also SMILING after executing his two COUPS.
Whatever happened to the promised SILK TAIL water bottling business?

"When Justice Winter retired to consider his verdicts, it never seriously occurred to me that he might depart from the recommendations of the Assessors. The five Assessors came from a broad spectrum of the Fijian community as a whole and I was of the view that it was highly unlikely that an expatriate New Zealander who had only been a local judge for a little over 18 months would depart from the views of these representatives of the community. However, when Justice Winter returned about an hour later, he announced the acquittal of Rabuka on both charges. As required by law, he provided his reasons. He stated that he was of the view that the prosecution had failed to prove its case on either count beyond a reasonable doubt."

The Australian lawyer MARK TEDESCHI who prosecuted Rabuka in 2006
"Despite everything that was happening at the Queen Elizabeth barracks, Rabuka remained at the Sun Insurance lunch until around 5 p.m. when he finally left the Sun Insurance building with his driver and bodyguard and went to the apartments where he lived. It was alleged that the reason for him going home was to pick up his uniform as a Major General in the Army Reserves. He then went to the Queen Elizabeth barracks, armed with his uniform so that if called upon he could assume the role of Commander. When he arrived in his vehicle at the barracks sometime around 5.30-5.45pm, Rabuka was sitting in the front passenger seat of his red four wheel drive vehicle. His bodyguard was in the back seat. Various soldiers at the barracks, both loyalists and rebels, noticed that there was a senior officer’s uniform hanging in the back of the car. At that stage, the Lieutenant Colonels commanding the loyal soldiers were planning a counter-attack which was due to commence at 6 p.m.. When Rabuka found out about the planned counter-attack, he was horrified. It was alleged that he wanted a stalemate from which he could take some advantage, not a fierce fire-fight in which the rebels would most likely be decimated. Neither, it was suggested, did he want the rebels to surrender, because one cannot bargain from a position of surrender. It was alleged that Rabuka attempted to convince the senior officer in command of the loyalist soldiers to negotiate with the rebel soldiers, rather than launching a counter-attack, but the senior officer refused. Major General Rabuka was unceremoniously placed sitting on the floor in a secure room and then moved to another part of the barracks where he was out of the line of fire during the counter-attack. At one stage, he was chastised for using his mobile phone, and eventually his mobile phone was confiscated. At 6 p.m., the counter-attack commenced and by 6:45 p.m. the rebel soldiers had been completely defeated. Some of the rebel soldiers surrendered at the barracks, while some of them, including Lt Charles Dukuliga, literally ran away from the barracks in fear of their lives. Many of those who ran away were hunted down over the next few days and taken into custody. Five of these captured rebel soldiers were taken back to the barracks where they were bashed to death. This was the subject of later police investigations, but at the present time no one has been charged with these killings and the investigation has recently been terminated. Lt Charles Dukuliga was bashed into unconsciousness, but remained alive.
Many of the loyalist soldiers were convinced that Major General Rabuka had played a role in assisting the mutiny. After the rebels had been defeated, some of the loyal soldiers wanted to summarily execute Rabuka where he had been sheltering during the counter-attack, but a middle-ranking officer (now a senior legal officer in the DPP Office) refused to allow them to do so, largely because he could not establish the identity of the officer who had given the order to kill Rabuka. Later that evening, as Rabuka was leaving the QEB, he allegedly rang Seruvakula again and said "There has been a setback in what has happened. It has failed, and some lives have been lost. I'm going out to drink yaqona]." It was alleged by the prosecution at the trial that what had failed was Rabuka's grand plan to replace the Commander [Bainimarama].
On 11th December 2006, the five Assessors returned with their recommended verdicts. By a majority of three to two, they recommended that Rabuka be acquitted on the first charge. By a majority of four to one, they recommended that Rabuka be convicted on the second charge (the conversation with Seruvakula during the mutiny). When Justice Winter retired to consider his verdicts, it never seriously occurred to me that he might depart from the recommendations of the Assessors. The five Assessors came from a broad spectrum of the Fijian community as a whole and I was of the view that it was highly unlikely that an expatriate New Zealander who had only been a local judge for a little over 18 months would depart from the views of these representatives of the community. However, when Justice Winter returned about an hour later, he announced the acquittal of Rabuka on both charges. As required by law, he provided his reasons.
He stated that he was of the view that the prosecution had failed to prove its case on either count beyond a reasonable doubt."

RACIAL HORROR SHOW from 1987 being RE-INTROUCED BY RABUKA. The undisguised RACIST, supported by NFP and Biman Prasad, wants to complete his racist agenda - first Vulagi and now the Anthem in i-Taukei

17/8/2023

We would have had no issue regarding the national anthem to be sung in i-Taukei at the Rubgy World Cup but given the racist's violent ethno-nationalist past that led to the torture, beatings, rape and disenfranchisement of Indo-Fijians (and the beatings and torture of his i-Taukei political opponents - Bavadra & Co, including those who Rabuka described as Kai Lomas), we must STAND UP AND FIGHT THIS DEVIL INCARNATE, and stop him taking Fiji back to 1987, for he wants to complete his racist agenda.
While it is true that Meda Dau Doka was sung at all the matches during the 1987 Rugby World Cup, played between 22 May-30 June, it was sung at the direction of this racist shortly after his 14 May 1987 COUP.
Sadly, while South Africa was excluded from the 1987 RWC because of its apartheid, the same exclusion was not extended to FIJI where Sitiveni Rabuka had introduced APARTHEID with his infamous slogan 'Fiji for i-Taukei Fijians'.
As we have argued before not all the i-Taukei are indigenous to Fiji despite their claims to Indigenous Rights Charter. In any event, as long as the 2013 Constitution is in place, Rabuka and his racist mob must be READ Section 132 by the RFMF.
Like 1987, i-Taukei have a choice, peaceful co-existence* or violent co-annihilation. Only the demented will follow Rabuka into oblivion, especially those who are trying to exploit his allegedly early onset of dementia, for leadership and political gains.

Shortly after the 1987 racist coup, Rabuka ordered the Fiji Rugby Team to sing Meda Dau Doka, to consolidate his APARTHEID in Fiji

South Africa was excluded due to its pro-apartheid policies

RAPE, WHAT RAPE IN 1987, demanded Rabuka's Women and Childrens Minister LYNDA TABUYA in Parliament.
She forgot to check with Shamima Ali that Rabuka's ethno-nationalist coup led to the raping of TEN YEAR old Indo-Fijian GIRLS. Now, he is back with his Racist 1987 Agenda.

ISA, WEEPING FOR RWANDA'S RAPE VICTIMS IN RWANDA

Raiduduva, "Isa, someone still cares". One of two dismissed Parliament STAFF accused of leaking video of Bainimarama assaulting Tikoduadua to us and social media subtly nods to Grubsheet charge against the NFP

16/8/2023

Astonishingly, only six days ago Iliesa Raiduduva received invitation from NFP to attend the NFP's 60th Anniversary Convention and Party Celebrations. According to Grubsheet, the NFP used the whistleblower Raiduduva and jettisoned him, to eek out a living on the farm. Those accused of betraying him include Pio Tikoduadua, Biman Prasad, and Lenora Qereqeretabua.
Fijileaks: Is the invitation by NFP form of bribe to Raiduduva and family?

While Waisele Tavatuilagi – a cameraman and editor at the parliament – shot the footage, it was Iliesa Raiduduva – a parliamentary civic education officer – who played it to Lenora Qereqeretabua during an encounter at the Pearl Resort. Friends of Raiduduva say he was later approached by Pio Tikoduadua to provide him with the clip. And Tikoduadua gave him an undertaking that if there were to be adverse consequences for the two, the NFP would do what it could to look after them.

According to these friends, when Iliesa Raiduduva lost his job at the parliament, he received a specific promise from Pio Tikoduadua that he would be reinstated in the event that the NFP won office. That promise, they say, still hasn’t been kept. And four years on, Iliesa Raiduduva is eking out a living on his teitei as a small-scale farmer and selling produce at the market when he was once on the front line promoting democracy in his civic education role at the parliament.

According to these friends, repeated emails and messages to the NFP hierarchy reminding them of their undertakings to reinstate Raiduduva have gone unanswered. And he is becoming increasingly desperate as a once promising career lies in ruins and he is reduced to selling vegetables while those who persuaded him to leak the video enjoy the spoils of office.

It’s a story that goes to the heart of the integrity of the NFP and its leaders and the Coalition government as a whole, as well as highlighting the absence of adequate protection in Fiji for whistleblowers who leak material such as the Bainimarama assault video that is demonstrably in the public interest.

Hundreds of Fijian workers who were terminated under the last government at Fiji Airports and Fiji Airways have been reinstated since the Coalition took office but not the two men in the Fijian Parliament who put their jobs on the line to expose Frank Bainimarama's thuggish conduct for the benefit of both the Coalition and every Fijian.

It is a blatant injustice that must be rectified. The NFP is holding its AGM in Rakiraki tomorrow (Friday) and this case should clearly be addressed. Because it certainly doesn’t reflect well on the party or the individuals involved that they keep ignoring representations reminding them of their promise to two men who have been forgotten in the euphoria of the NFP’s election win.

A BIT LATE BUT CHAUDHRY GETS OFF 'FERRIS WHEEL RIDE' to speak on Rabuka and the Vulagis: 'Isn't it time, Mr Rabuka, for another apology from you'. Shockingly, Chaudhry keeps referring to Indo-Fijians as Indian

16/8/2023

"Indians have endured two racist coups despite which they have remained committed to Fiji." - FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry

Fijileaks: Our Founding Editor-in-Chief has condemned FLP leader in the past for constantly referring to Indo-Fijians as 'Indians'.
Our ancestors were Indians, NOT us. Many of us (our Editor included) still cannot trace our Indian indentured labourers in those 'coolie ship registers', for the elders passed away long before anyone thought of asking them. Our leaders never encouraged us to build our own ancestry trees. The much lauded Vola Ni Kawa Bula* was designed by the colonial British masters to end land wars, and to whip and deport stray i-Taukei back to their respective villages. It was a register to control them.
The Indian indentured labourers did not come as 'Vulagis' - guest or visitors. They were brought on slave ships to work as bonded labourers on the sugar, tea and copra plantations.
As we have reminded Rabuka and his legion of racists, the introduction of Indian indentured labourers prevented the dispossession of the different tribal i-taukei from the lands they were occupying after bloody tribal wars.
* As for Chaudhry, when will he wake up and recognise the 'Devil with Forked Tongue'. In 1992, he gave his votes to Rabuka for the Coupist to become Prime Minister. Later, he cried wolf when Rabuka refused to honour a set of conditions that Chaudhry had demanded as part of making Rabuka Prime Minister.
Sadly, it was the political rivalry between Mahendra Chaudhry and Jai Ram Reddy that saw Indo-Fijians remain in bondage, with Rabuka exploiting the division. In 1994, Reddy gave NFP's votes to Rabuka for the coupist to become Prime Minister for the second time.
In 2022, Biman Prasad gave his votes for Rabuka to become Prime Minister for the third time.
At least, Chaudhry has got off Rabuka's 'Ferris Wheel' while Biman Prasad is still clinging onto its wobbly wheels - not a word of protest from PRASAD against Rabuka and Vulagis.
As we pointed out, Vulagi is a term that has been understood by all races in Fiji as a guest or a visitor.
The Indo-Fijians were NEVER a Vulagi - even on 14 May 1879.
Whenever we saw someone we didn't recognise in our neighbourhood, we used to say, 'Aare, dekkho, koi vulagi* chakkar kate hai'. (Look, some vulagi is loitering around).
The poor soul, as it often turned out, was merely looking for a particular house or a friend in the neighbourhood.

Prime Minister Rabuka should understand that the Indians did not come here as Vulagis, says Mahendra Chaudhry.

He was responding to the PM’s remark in his address to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People in Suva last week when he referred to Fiji Indians as vulagis.

Mr Chaudhry said the Indians were bought here by the British which ruled over Fiji and India at the time (1879). Indians came as British subjects and, upon serving their Indenture, were free to return to India or settle in Fiji with full citizenship rights.

They have lived here for over 140 years in the course of which their contribution to Fiji’s development remains unmatched.

Indians have endured two racist coups despite which they have remained committed to Fiji. Yes, many have left but that is natural for those seeking a peaceful, progressive and secure life.

“I for one am a victim of both the coups, and was removed at gunpoint as Prime Minister of a government elected with the biggest mandate in Fiji’s political history.

"I am still here speaking out not for the Indians alone but the nation as a whole.

"National unity was a rallying cry of Rabuka’s Alliance Party during the last elections. It’s a contradiction now for him to alienate the ethnic Indians by calling them vulagis.

"Isn’t it time, Mr Rabuka, for yet another apology from you?”

ISA, ISA, VULAGI, LASU DINA. Now, its Biman Prasad's USP CHAMCHA professor VIJAY NAIDU who fails to remind his audience at panel talk on 'Reimagining Democracy' that Rabuka's 'Migration Wish List' comes true

15/8/2023

“Vulagi” in i-Taukei colloquial means special guests or visitors on a short visit. Otherwise vulagi is used euphemistically to describe foreigners like Indo-Fijians were referred to by the i Taukei movement in 1987, led by Coupist Sitiven Rabuka, Co-Coupist Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and Apisai Tora & Co

Fijileaks: We will write in greater detail about Rabuka's 'bullsht spin on the word Vulagi.* The word is as common as dalo to all of us who were born and grew up in Fiji. Whenever our Indo-Fijian relatives visited us for weddings or funerals, we always referred to them to our i-taukei neighbours and friends as 'oh, our vulagi families from Rakiraki, Levuka, Lautoka etc'. In other words, they were our guests or visitors.
In the late 1970s, whenever our Founding Editor-in-Chief and his i-taukei classmates went past i-taukei villages on their way from RKS to QVS, or from RKS to Korovou Town, his i-taukei classmates used to beg him to approach the i-taukei elders for water or to use the toilet facilities: 'Sega, Karua, we dare not go into the village. We are Vulagi to them. We have no right or authority to enter their village.'*
So Rabuka and his racist mob should cut the bullshit on Vulagi meaning.

When in Opposition, Prasad was very quick to condemn the current Speaker and former SODELPA president Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for calling NFP an Indo-Fijian VULAGI PARTY.
"It is not only insulting but its racist. The word Vulagi was used in 1987 and it brings back painful memories."
Today, he is quite as a Church Mouse against his Coalition Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for branding Indo-Fijians "Vulagis".

STRAIGHT FACED BAIMAAN: Just look at the face of this Indo-Fijian TRAITOR who is yet to condemn Rabuka for describing him as VULAGI.
Why should Prasad? After all, it was NFP and its late leader Jai Ram Reddy who gave NFP's votes for Rabuka to become prime minister in 1994, and Reddy with another NFP side-kick the late Brij Lal, gave Rabuka IMMUNITY in the 1997 Constitution.
The party also formed coalition with Rabuka's SVT to fight the 1999 election, and now in Coalition with Rabuka after the 2022 election.
FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry is equally silent on 'Vulagi' furore.
*We can understand Chaudhry's deafening silence, for he exploited his 'Indian ancestral links' to pocket $2million from India after he was overthrown in the 2000 COUP, for as George Speight claimed, 'Indo-Fijians smell different', and as Rabuka wanted, should just pack and go, for never again after 1987, 'the Indians Will Rule Fiji'

RACIST RABUKA'S MIGRATION VISION: 'I hope Indians (Indo-Fijians) will bugger-off from Fiji. They should increase their emigration rate out of Fiji'

"In the next five to ten years there was potential for an increase [in] the racial divide in the sense that the rural areas will be Fijian dominated, the urban areas will be Indian dominated. Fijians will be 'agra-based' [sic], more Indians will go into manufacturing, light industry and the import-export trade. We (Fijians) will be the retail outlet, the supermarket shoppers. This is a concern for me but I think we will have to live through it. My other hope is that the Indians will migrate. We tighten the controls, then Fiji is no longer attractive to the Indian settler as it has been over the last 120 years. Maybe they will slow down their immigration rate, probably increase their emigration rate, thereby having a natural decline in their numbers, to a level that would be manageable.
When I talk about a manageable level I am talking about the tolerance thresh- old of the Fijians. Now it is beyond their tolerance level and that is why they are reacting, not because of the numbers but what the Indians can do with the num- bers. If they can gain control of the professional life, the economic life, and the political life of this country with the numbers they have, then the tolerance level, the numbers level will have to be greatly reduced. And we won't do that by the Butadroka-kind of policy, forced migration, but by circumstances-driven migration'

Rabuka had made the above comments in the last chapter of his authorized biography on the future of Indo-Fijians in Fiji. His book was released two months before 19 May 2000, when George Speight seized power and held Chaudhry and his MPs hostage for 56 days.

REALLY, CHAUDHRY? We wonder if Chaudhry was taken for a ride at the national reconciliation ceremony by Rabuka and his nationalist mob?

TAKEN FOR A FREE RIDE?

REST IN PEACE MERE SAMISONI: We will be writing on her forty years of friendship and co-operation with our Founding Editor-in-Chief but we pause to express our condolences to the family. REST in Peace, MERE

11/8/2023

TOXIC GO AHEAD TO JAPAN TO DUMP FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR WASTE. Rabuka defies his own CABINET and DPM Kamikamica who, along with Opposition, VOTED against dumping of Deadly Radioactive Waste Water

8/8/2023

SITIVENI Rabuka announced he was 'satisfied' with Japan's efforts to demonstrate that the release will be safe. He said he had read the International Atomic Energy Agency's report which "works for us" and that he "trusts their expert judgement and monitoring process".
He also encouraged others to read the report.
"It is my job as a leader to treasure and reassure myself and to reassure you that I am paying close attention to this," he said.
"With Japanese friends and other partners including the IAEA, I will personally be ensuring the highest possible standards of safety and protection for our vast liquid continent and under my leadership, Fiji will continue to defend our precious Pacific home."
The IAEA has said Japan has checked off all boxes to ensure the imminent release of the treated nuclear waste would be consistent with international standards.

MANOA KAMIKAMICA had moved a motion in Parliament at its April session strongly condemning the plan by Japan to dump treated water into the Pacific Ocean.
The motion was unanimously passed by Parliament on 15 April.
Was Sitiveni Rabuka in Parliament when this motion was passed?
Did Rabuka consult with Kamikamica and his Coalition Cabinet before he gave the go-ahead against Parliament's own judgment?
Did he take into account the fate of the smaller and more vulnerable Pacific Island communities in the region?
Why couldn't he have waited for the PIF Economic Meeting to be held in Suva for a collective stand by the Forum?
Why has Rabuka deliberately defied the Fijian peoples' call through Parliament when it voted to tell Japan 'NO' we dont want your waste?
We thought Rabuka always boasted that his Government or Leadership LISTENS. It seems he has NOT listened to his OWN Cabinet.
We hope that the PAP Management Board, the NFP and SODELPA partners will call on Rabuka to withdraw Fiji's (HIS) support for the Japanese plan and more importantly Rabuka would now wish to consult first with PIF island nations who are most vulnerable, are in close proximity to the designated disposal zone and are heavily dependent on fishing for the national incomes and livelihoods.
In 1987 Rabuka had cited, among many other toxic lies, that it was the FLP-NFP coalition government's 'Nuclear Free Pacific Zone' that had forced him to execute his two coups in May and September.
As for 'Sushi Prasad', he is not only grateful to millions of dollars in Japanese aid to the economic coffers but the Japanese Embassy in Fiji is taking a personal interest in Mrs Ari Taniguchi v Biman Prasad case.
She is Project Assistant Professor at Keio University School of Medicine, and Lecturer at Kyoto University, Japan.
*Mrs Taniguci claims she felt harassed and threatened by his 'toxic' texts.

The Japanese plan has faced widespread opposition from its own fishermen, international environmentalists, and other governments in the region, including China, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, have all expressed doubts.

A deep care and affection for the ocean is deeply ingrained in all Pacific Island dwellers and they have made combined efforts to sustainably maintain this precious resource for future generations.

Today, a widely condemned plan of action adopted by one of Fiji’s longstanding partners threatens to jeopardise years of advocacy and diplomacy.

Japan made headlines recently for its decision to dump about 800,000 tonnes of radioactive wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

This move has been heavily criticised by neighbouring nations, in particular Pacific Island Countries (PICs), because of the long-term impacts it may wreak on the ecosystem.

The topic was one up for discussion when Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for External Trade Manoa Kamikamica moved a motion for Parliament to support the Pacific forum leaders’ desire to secure our Pacific Ocean’s future and condemn any action that would threaten it.

Additionally, he was calling on Parliament to support calling on partner governments, including international agencies, to ensure the protection of the oceans and its resources.

In an unprecedented move, the motion was unanimously supported by both sides of the House.

In his motion, Mr Kamikamica said as guardians of the ocean, our way of life was underpinned by the ocean.

“Our culture, food, livelihood and national economy rely on our oceans,” he said.

“I am hoping that this august Parliament will in one loud and clear voice send a message.

“The Pacific Ocean should not be seen as an easy and convenient dumping ground for unwanted and dangerous material and waste that other bigger nations produce and would not want to use in their own ecosystems.”

“Notorious” nuclear legacy

The Pacific is no stranger to nuclear testing, as evidenced in a Time Magazine article dated February 6, 2023, which stated that other countries have historically treated the Pacific as a “dumping ground” for their waste.

“The US conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1957 — and disposed of atomic waste in Runit Dome, where it’s still stored,” the article stated.

“That testing led not only to forced relocations but also to increased rates of cancers. Today there is concern that the dome is leaking and that rising sea levels might impact its structural integrity.

“France also conducted 193 nuclear tests from 1966 to 1996 at Mururoa and Fangataufa atolls in French Polynesia.”

Keeping the statistics in mind, Mr Kamikamica also raised a point during the discussions — if the treated nuclear wastewater was so safe, why do they not use it on their own farms in their own country?

“We, as the Pacific, cannot continue to be made the dumping ground of the socalled bigger nations,” he said.

“Needless to say, coastal communities survive on marine life, not to mention the impact of radioactive chemicals that can have on our people.

“Internationally, Fiji is recognised as a popular tourism destination and wellknown for its sun, sand and sea. If this release occurs, there may be an impact on our tourism earnings. We cannot let this happen. We have to protect what is ours.”

Interlinked impacts

Fiji enjoys one of the most diverse forest ecosystems, complete with beaches, mangroves and over 10,000 kilometres of coral reefs.

This ecosystem is also home to 1200 fish species, 800 different species of molars and 350 hard coral species.

Fiji’s National Ocean Policy also emphasised the estimated value of the country’s marine ecosystem services was about $2.4 billion annually, with fisheries estimated to contribute $123 million annually from subsistence farming.

This was highlighted by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau, who also said small inshore commercial fisheries produced a total national value of up to $54m.

Additionally, commercial offshore fisheries based on albacore tuna produced a total net of $20m per annum.

As such, he said nuclear waste dumping was not just normal pollution. It would affect the food chain too.

Ro Filipe also said there were numerous parties objecting and opposing the proposed plan by the Japanese Government.

“There have been various opinions expressed on this, not only in the international media but closer to Japan.

“For example, there was one opinion in the Korean news agency stating that there are, at least, five options for dealing with nuclear contaminated water from the Fukushima Nuclear Plant, including evaporating and storing it underground.

“But the Japanese Government chose the cheapest and fastest way and it has not prioritised reducing the damage to human health.

“There is also the opinion that the Japanese Government has ignored domestic and international opposition in terms of dumping of contaminated water and it is putting ahead economic interest.”

“Largest space, smallest voice”

Fiji’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) spans over 1.29 million square kilometres, yet it becomes quite burdensome to surveil the entire area considering Fiji’s limited resources and manpower.

Opposition member of Parliament Faiyaz Koya said this request in particular, was made by Japan, who were friends and development partners.

“You must remember for years and years, we in the Pacific Islands, have been in control of some of the largest ocean in the world, but we always have the smallest voice,” he said.

“In any forum, we were stepped on, moved aside — no more! We cannot let this happen. We must not let this happen. It is imperative upon us. We do not need the scientific results on this. We have to be the protectors of our ocean.

“We have to ensure that our future generations are protected. And the honourable minister is actually correct.

“If in their opinion, it is safe to do so, what is the harm in the release in their rivers and streams? Why our Pacific Ocean? That is the question.”

Walk the talk

As a leader in the Pacific, Fiji needs to stand at the helm of any plan to protect our oceans.

And Opposition MP Ketan Lal commended Fiji’s firm stand in its decision to ban nuclear waste dumping in its waters. He stated that Fiji had taken steps to ensure that water surrounding it was free from nuclear waste.

“There has always been a ban on the entry of any ship carrying radioactive material into our waters,” he said.

“The ban includes ships carrying nuclear waste, ships used in nuclear tests and ships carrying radioactive material for research purposes.

“Fiji’s stand to ban nuclear waste dumping is commendable as it shows its commitment towards protecting the environment and marine life. Fiji should not compromise on the safety of its people and the environment.”

According to Mr Lal, the ban on nuclear waste dumping was an essential step towards a sustainable future. He pointed out that it was crucial for other PICs to follow Fiji’s example and take steps to prevent nuclear waste disposal in the ocean.

“The oceans are one of our planet’s most valuable resources and we must protect them from any harm caused by human activities, including nuclear waste dumping.

“The best way forward is for the Coalition Government to continue with the work FijiFirst has done to further strengthen its partnership with international agencies and governments.

“By working together, we can ensure the protection and preservation of our oceans and resources for the future generation.” Source: The Fiji Times

PLAYED BOTH POLITICAL TEAMS. Fiji Football Association PRESIDENT Rajesh Patel is back on pitch, dribbling with NFP leader Biman PRASAD. Patel should have been charged for Donating $17,500 to NFP, FFP in 2015

5/8/2023

Fijileaks, PRASAD 'invading the pitch'. Why Coalition's Sports Minister was excluded from meeting FIFA President Gianni Infantino?

Good news for soccer fans as FIFA will be financing a high performance centre and a 15,000 seat stadium in Lomolomo near Lautoka.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says for its part, the coalition government stands ready to support such developments because they strongly believe that sports plays a key role in a nation’s progress and football and rugby are two sports that are in pole position to give our nation glory and fame.

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino with Rajesh Patel and Biman Prasad

Prof. Prasad stated this at the Fiji Football Academy while welcoming FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, adding the coalition government is pleased to note that FIFA is supporting plans for the development of a multi-million dollar state of the art facility to be completed in 3 phases.

He says this will include the development of a high performance centre, which in our view can be used by our talents graduating out of the football academies.

The Deputy Prime Minister says it will also involve the development of an artificial pitch and a state of the art 15,000 seat stadium at Lomolomo between Lautoka and Nadi.

He says FIFA’s support and financial commitment towards development and implementation of projects is indeed laudable. Source: FijiVilage News

From Fijileaks Archive, 28 January 2021

CHAMCAGIRI MUST STOP: Prasad and Patel MUST be charged by FICAC

'FLP deplores the manner in which the Finance Minister and the Fijian Competition and Commerce Commission rushed to media to accuse us of putting out "FAKE" information without first investigating the matter.'

4/8/2023

COCKFIGHT ends with the mauling of Biman Prasad and Joel Abraham

Labour deplores the manner in which the Finance Minister and the Fijian Competition and Commerce Commission rushed to the media to accuse us of putting out “fake” information without first investigating the matter.

As it turns out it was the Minister and FCCC that had misinformed the public and not Labour.

Their accusation concerns an FLP Facebook post of 21 April 2023 at a time when the Chair of the Financial Review Committee was advocating that the zero rating on basic food and other household items be removed and these be subject to 15% VAT.

Labour was concerned at the severe impact of such an increase on the pockets of poor and low income families. We posted a comparative table showing the impact of a 15% increase on these basic items using prices prevalent as at 21 April 2023.

No one had objected to the post then. Why bring it up now more than 3 months later?

We stand by the prices quoted on our post. It is FCCC which has erred in comparing those prices with prices prevailing at 2 August 2023. It did not take account of price fluctuations between 21 April and 2 August 2023.

We have written to FCCC drawing attention to their error. We expect them to correct the misinformation they have spread labelling our prices as fake. It is a false allegation which they must withdraw.

Labour is appalled that a State institution like FCCC should act so rashly without fully investigating the allegations made against us by the Minister.

FCCC sent an email to FLP late Wednesday night (10.28pm 2 August 2023) outlining its allegation and seeking our response. This was well after the end of business for the day. But before that it had already gone to the Fiji Sun, at least, stating that we had put out fake prices. The Fiji Sun splashed it on Page 2 of its edition on 3 August along with a statement from FCCC CEO Joel Abraham.

The Commission should be reminded that it is not there to act at the behest of its political masters. It is there to protect the interests of the consumer and ensure fair trading standards are maintained.

We suspect pressure was applied to come down hard on Labour .

The proper course of action would have been to write to Labour and ask for its comments instead of rushing to accuse it of wrong doing.

Had FCCC done so, it would have saved itself the embarrassment of being proved wrong.

The rush to denounce Labour smacks too much of political pressure and interference.

BAIMAAN BUDGET: As Biman Prasad honks that Chicken price hike is UNETHICAL, he took Fijians for ride with no increase in minimum wage, BUS fare increases not in Baimaan Budget, DROWNING Poor in Poverty

2/8/2023

Yet Prasad and his entourage of 20 NFP chamchas saw nothing unethical recently in New Zealand, gouging on best LAMP CHOPS and CHICKEN CURRY while downing the most expensive Black Label Whiskeys.
Who financed his trip? Did he collect allowances? Who paid for chums?

BAIMAAN TACTICS: Why didn't Biman Prasad warn Fijians of all races earlier about bus fare increase? First, he reverted to old bus fare minus the 10% subsidy. Then he increased it by 6% Vat on Bus Fare. BAIMAAN.

CHICKEN FLIGHT OUT OF FIJI:
Biman Prasad made the most STUPID decision to write off the $650million student debts.
Most graduates are professionals and earn above $20,000 per annum.
They had the ability to pay off their loans.
These graduates will serve 3 years and leave Fiji for overseas.
*Under the old TELS they were to stay in Fiji until loans paid off.

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