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.”
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':
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
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
