Bainimarama's coup motivation: Back to 2000
"Former State Minister [Jioji] Konrote had a long and distinguished military career, culminating as BrigGen in command of all UN forces in Lebanon.
When we asked Bainimarama's motivations for the coup, Konrote referred back to the events of 2000, especially the November mutiny of soldiers at military HQ when Bainimarama was nearly killed. Konrote noted that Bainimarama had never been in a combat situation.
Unlike senior Army officers who had seen action in Lebanon and other hot spots, Bainimarama's only PKO experience was with MFO Sinai during a peaceful period.
Thus, when he was fired at in 2000, the experience had a significant psychological effect that Bainimarama still carries." Larry Dinger to Washington, February 2007
"Former State Minister [Jioji] Konrote had a long and distinguished military career, culminating as BrigGen in command of all UN forces in Lebanon.
When we asked Bainimarama's motivations for the coup, Konrote referred back to the events of 2000, especially the November mutiny of soldiers at military HQ when Bainimarama was nearly killed. Konrote noted that Bainimarama had never been in a combat situation.
Unlike senior Army officers who had seen action in Lebanon and other hot spots, Bainimarama's only PKO experience was with MFO Sinai during a peaceful period.
Thus, when he was fired at in 2000, the experience had a significant psychological effect that Bainimarama still carries." Larry Dinger to Washington, February 2007
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MEDAL THIEF: How did Bainimarama accumulate all these medals, for Konrote told Dinger Bainimarama had no combat experience?
"When former Home Affairs State Minister Konrote came by the Embassy on 2/6 to ask about an RFMF deployment to Iraq (ref A), he mentioned that Bainimarama has approached him about becoming Fiji's Permanent Representative to the UN.
Former PermRep Savua concluded his tour last fall, and the Qarase Government named a replacement who had not taken up the job before the coup.
Konrote said the interim government is considering a wholesale re-shuffle of ambassadorships. (Comment: This is not surprising given that many current ambassadors are tied to events of 2000 and/or have been seen as buddies of Qarase.)
Konrote said he has not yet accepted the New York offer because he is worried about Australia, New Zealand, and U.S. visa-ban repercussions on himself and his family.
Konrote's sons travel a lot. Konrote said, none the less, he has informed Bainimarama that he is willing to "help out" the interim government behind the scenes." - Dinger to Washington, February 2007
Former PermRep Savua concluded his tour last fall, and the Qarase Government named a replacement who had not taken up the job before the coup.
Konrote said the interim government is considering a wholesale re-shuffle of ambassadorships. (Comment: This is not surprising given that many current ambassadors are tied to events of 2000 and/or have been seen as buddies of Qarase.)
Konrote said he has not yet accepted the New York offer because he is worried about Australia, New Zealand, and U.S. visa-ban repercussions on himself and his family.
Konrote's sons travel a lot. Konrote said, none the less, he has informed Bainimarama that he is willing to "help out" the interim government behind the scenes." - Dinger to Washington, February 2007
"I am terrified of travel ban on the Konrotes but I am willing to help out Bainimarama interim regime behind the scenes" - Konrote to Dinger, 2007
2015: Travelling in style - at the expense of the Taxpayers and Treason
