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RACIAL and religious media columnist bigots promote native Fijian soldiers to replace Mosese Fisher-Tikoitonga as new commander - long serving military officer - Indo-Fijian deputy commander Aziz overlooked

5/8/2015

20 Comments

 
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There is excitement and anticipation among all ranks that Colonel Jone Kalouniwai will soon return to lead the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

Positive feelings are being expressed privately about the likelihood of Colonel Kalouniwai becoming the new Commander to replace Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga. Commodore Viliame Naupoto will act as Commander in the meantime.

Colonel Kalouniwai has the right credentials and has been loyal to the military. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama can trust him and can count on him to defend the national interest and internal security.

He is highly qualified (double masters degrees in Business Administration specialising in Human Resources; Defence and Strategic Studies) and has had on-the-field experience.

He is a teetotaler. He is humble but firm. He is not a man of many words but when he speaks, he commands respect.

There is a quiet dignity about him. Colonel Kalouniwai is a son of the late Ratu Tevita Logavatu from the chiefly clan (Valelevu) in the Roko Tui Dreketi tribe of Rewa, of which Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa is the head. She is the paramount chief of Rewa and the Burebasaga confederacy.

Colonel Kalouniwai’s mother, the late Alanieta, was a daughter of the late Ratu Livai Volavola, from the chiefly family of Tokatoka, Tailevu. Ratu Livai was a well know iTaukei leader and a senator in the old Fijian parliament.  Colonel Kalouniwai’s  Burebasaga and Kubuna links will strengthen his support from the Vanua.

Colonel Kalouniwai was among a young cadre of officers, groomed as the rising stars of the military. He possesses many of the qualities described by Geoffroi de Charny (1356) in A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry:

Advice on Conduct Toward Friends and Enemies

“There is a supreme rule of conduct required in these good men-at-arms…they should be humble among their friends, proud and bold against their foes, tender and merciful toward those who need assistance, cruel avengers against their enemies, pleasant and amiable with all others, for the men of worth tell you that you should not converse at any length nor hold speech with your enemies, for you should bear in mind that they do no speak to you for your own good but to draw out of you what they can use to do you the greatest harm.

“Speak of the achievements of others but not of your own, and do not be envious of others. Above all, avoid quarrels, for a quarrel with one’s equal is dangerous, a quarrel with someone higher in rank is madness, and a quarrel with someone lower in rank is a vile thing, but a quarrel with a folk or a drunk is an even viler thing.

“And make sure that you do not praise your own conduct nor criticise too much that of others. Do not desire to take away another’s honour, but, above all else, safeguard your own. Be sure that you do not despise poor men or those lesser in rank than you, for there are many poor men who are of greater worth than the rich.”

From Fijileaks Archive:
Kalouniwai was among the plotters with Driti and others to forcibly remove Khaiyum as A-G; Bainimarama told them 'to go away':

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Kalouniwai said they briefed Commodore Bainimarama concerning reports on the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and his alleged dealings.

He said Commodore Bainimarama told them that they need to come back with documents to prove the allegations against the Attorney General.

When questioned by defence lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo, Kalouniwai revealed that they did not have any documents and did not have any intelligence on the Attorney General’s alleged dealings.    

Kalouniwai said that the Prime Minister made it clear to them that he will not do anything unless he gets the information relating to the allegations.

He also said that Driti had told him to conduct the investigation about the Attorney General.

Kalouniwai then instructed his team to gather information about Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

He said the meeting ended abruptly with Commodore Bainimarama as they only had information from various blog sites.
 
While testifying in court today Driti also confirmed that they had met with Commodore Bainimarama in September 2010.

Driti said he briefed Commodore Bainimarama and asked for the removal of the Attorney General due to the alleged dealings.

He said Commodore Bainimarama told Driti and Kalouniwai and I quote “No, walk out” end of quote.

Driti said he was called back to Commodore Bainimarama’s residence on the following day.

Commodore Bainimarama, Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua, Force Chaplain Major Tikinatabua and Ratu Tevita Mara were present in the meeting.

Bainimarama told Driti that he had received some information on the plan to overthrow him and the President when Bainimarama takes the trip to Sudan.

Commodore Bainimarama then told Driti to speak to Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz and take his overdue leave and remain at the quarters.

Bainimarama asked Driti to resign as Land Force Commander and as a commissioned officer after his leave comes to an end.Source: Fijivillage

See also Victor Lal and Russell Hunter: Dictator Bainimarama’s Treasonous Call to Pita Driti & Senior Military Officers to Overthrow Qarase Government in 2004
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20 Comments
Chiku
5/8/2015 01:37:35 am

Point out one - just one - military top dog who is not tainted.

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S
5/8/2015 03:57:50 am

For a country that promotes "Yellow Ribbon" campaign (designed to give 2nd chances to convicts), this move by RFMF seems very questionable! Weren't we asked to forgive people who did the coups, or indigenous aborigines forgive Australian PMs for past wrongdoings, etc. Whatever happened to forgive & forget. It seems BG Aziz will have to become a christian if he even intends to apply for the top-job, Racism at its best!

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Chun Mun
5/8/2015 05:37:03 am

Nemani's article is one reason Kalouniwai should not be appointed.

Get a professional soldier from abroad as local ones are tainted.

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Vili
6/8/2015 02:47:10 am

Chun Mun, you do not live in Fiji so dont worry bro. These 'tainted' Fiji soldiers will secure Fiji without you and your 'professional soldier from abroad' who you recommend as Commander.

That person you recommend will be reporting back to his home country and will not be accountable to Fiji. Why should he give his life for Fiji if he is a foreigner??

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Chun Mun
6/8/2015 07:15:04 am

Vili

secure Fiji from what or whom?

Vili
6/8/2015 04:45:56 pm

@ Chun Mun

Secure it from silly foreign bigots like you who engage in disinformation from behind a secure border. The term we use on the streets in Fiji is "koli ni koi India". '

Yash
5/8/2015 01:15:59 pm

This film is not yet over.

The very reason indo Fijians voted for bai was that they will be safe from Coup.

Last weekend Marsala n resignation of RFMF boss proved Indo Fijian wrong

Till Khaiyum is there, we can not say there wont be political disturbance.

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Kavita
5/8/2015 06:22:21 pm

Very true. Khaiyum is the biggest threat to national security. full stop.

Pointless removing senior officers, changing guards and doubling body guards. Root cause of high tension and fear in the country needs to be adressed in a genuine manner.Taking heed to aspects of professional advice from the military will be a good starting point. Realities need to be acknowledged and why kid ourselves?

And those "quick swing" indo Fijian voters are now lamenting their vote was for Bainimarama and not knowing Khaiyum would be running the show. And a highly sensitive and safety related bad show.

It is important for the nation to break the cycle of national tension and disturbance. The niche for those need to be removed. The country needs to move forward and the constitution proviso 96(3) allows for appointment of AG from outside of parliament.

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Viti Noqu Viti
5/8/2015 01:47:36 pm

Can you post the tape recording?

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josh
5/8/2015 02:28:44 pm

i think kalouniwai is not a capable man to lead the military.The military need a man who can make right and wise full decision making.He is a double minded and bite bake fellow ,who suddenly turned he's back against Driti.They were senior officers and should stand beside he's fellow comrade,but he Liumuri Driti..Shame on this fellow.

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Vili
5/8/2015 03:46:49 pm

Kalouniwai has better military credentials than Mohammed Aziz. Kalouniwai has commanded Fijian Battalions overseas, unlike Aziz and even Naupoto who were not considered for their lack of qualifications.

Kalouniwai is in the Infantry Corps where Aziz is a lawyer (legal eagle) who got his degree from Bond (Bonk?) university on the Gold Coast in Queensland - he borrowed heavily from the Army's Regimental Fund to pay for his studies and is yet to repay the 'loan'.

Kalouniwai has connexions to the traditional chiefly houses in Tailevu, which is another important consideration.

rajend naidu
5/8/2015 03:02:30 pm

Editor,
Glen Coulton points out in his letter to smh 5/8 that " many right wing commentator " got it wrong when they failed to " grasp " the booing of Adam Goodes was " overwhelmingly racist ". These included prominent neo- con journalists like Andrew Bolt, Allan Jones and Paul Sheehan. Instead of seeing the booing of this aboriginal Australian of the year and an elite athlete for what it was - racism, pure and simple - they tried to shift the blame onto Goodes saying his character and behaviour was responsible for the booing. This is a classic case of what William Ryan (1971) has called " blaming the victim" in his book by the same title.
But it's a good thing the Australian people did not buy into that perverse line of thinking and mounted a vigorous Stand by Adams (37) solidarity campaign and a fight against racism.
Human decency won over racism.
We are of course familiar with the blaming the victim phenomenon through our. Rabuka and Speight coup experience when Indians were scapegoated and persecuted. The coups had nothing to do with Indians trying to takeover the country as was claimed by the ethno- nationalists ( the taukeist ).the coups were a power grab by those democratically defeated at the polls wanting to get back into power by hook and crook.
Many Indians who fled the country because of racial persecution went into severe depression.
They would know how Adam Goodes must feel.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Stdney

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Tualeita
5/8/2015 04:15:01 pm

I have met Colonel Kalouniwai but it was many years ago when he was just a young father to a new born baby. I also met his wife at that time in which I considered him to be a very humble and a soft spoken lieutenant. I thought to myself that he was naturally a leader as he mingled equally with his subordinates in the army.

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Dekho
5/8/2015 07:31:57 pm

Tualeita you should see the Midnight Express (1978) to realise that one can be a very gentle family man and at the same time be a sadistic state security officer.

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Chiku
5/8/2015 04:34:59 pm

And what's more many semi literate Australians and their leadership who have a poor understanding of their own black history accepted the Fijian ethno nationalists claim that they were being swarmed by Indians in their own God given country.

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Welcome Home
5/8/2015 11:22:49 pm

How refreshing it is to hear someone acknowledge and be appreciative of 'vakaturaga' conduct. It has much in common with courtly conduct of Age of Chivalry and nothing whatsoever to do with the arrogance, foul-mouthed and swaggering demeanour of the Age of Celebrity: in which we have been immersed for two decades or more. The Duty to Protect is a paramount calling in this barbarous time and it demands courage, empathy and valour. If intellect informs these values, then this is 'value added' with benefit to the institution at a crucial turn.

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Joshua
6/8/2015 12:42:04 am

We just need a Commander that will not be listening to the PM on how to run the military.

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Osea Malamalanitabua link
6/8/2015 09:49:08 am

The best and only solution is get rid of the Military and save money for Education.Health and Agriculture rather than borrowing heavily from China.We the Taukei are responsible for the instabilty of Fiji in the last 25 years and others are blameless.We the Taukei need a change in mindset and come to the conclusion that the Coup will not going to provide the mana/cargo cult once promised by Sitiveni Rabuka in 1987.Fiji belongs to All and with Unity and sheer work hard there is an opportunity to make FIJI an ever green oasis our Paradise on Earth.Lets follow Costa Rica who after disposing their Army spends money for Education and a rich country in Central America.The Army wastes resources and has put us all in debt for the tune of Billion Dollars,Kick Bainimarama and his Generals out of Touch for they have made Fiji Hell on Earth. We as Taukei must apologise for all the wrongs and abuses we committed to the Indo-Fijians.Reconciliation as suggested by the learned Hon Binman Prasad will enhance progress and success.

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On-Song
6/8/2015 07:21:28 pm

If the trend continues where officers are brought back into active service to lead the military, then Commander Naivalurua has got to be the man with his humility, intelligence, charisma and stature. He has served as Police Chief and is currently on a Diplomatic mission and his organisational skills is what i admire - he gives respect and is rewarded accordingly with ample returns from those that matter; the citizens. The military leadership subjected to any more trial & error appointments will only further deplete its already meagre pool of integrity. I also wonder why Aziz is not a contender? If you can't get it right, then the appointment of a new President in the near future should be interesting; both presided over by the PM??

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Bahuki
10/8/2015 01:43:47 am

That article in the Fiji Snub is a joke that its no different from the praises it likes to straddle Frankie's lap with.

Aziz sounds like a capable person, but the nepotism never gets old on whom you want for that particular position. But then against its quite hard to pick out one single military officer that is not tainted.

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