As the aroma of the authentic Fijian lovo (hangi) pig and the sumptuous spicy chicken curry cooked in Indo-Fijian style drifted from the lavishly laid buffet table, the tang of delicious Fijian kokoda (raw fish in coconut milk and lemon) simultaneously hit the olfactory nerves.
This made it difficult for the Pacific delegates to choose what to eat.
However, there was no such dilemma when it came to showing support for Fiji and Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama’s path for the Nation.
The dust settled down at the Vale Ni Bose (Great Council of Chiefs) in Nasese, Suva where the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Summit took place on March 30 and 31. it was another slap on the blinkered vision that Australia and New Zealand hold of Fiji.
In particular, New Zealand’s support for a questionable, immoral, blatantly racist, unethical and corrupt ‘democracy’ of Laisenia Qarase although ideologically correct, delivered little to common people on the ground.
Failed democracy
First World leaders, who have been calling for elections in Fiji, must realise that mere polling does not deliver democracy, at least not in Fiji.
For example, what would the Commonwealth, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island Forum do if an election sent back the same culprits who were plundering the country under the sanctity of supposedly democratic elections, and disinheriting almost half its population under the slogan of indigenous superiority and ethno-nationalism?
Perhaps it was time Fiji was allowed to sort out and find a homegrown and comprehensive solution to its complex political problems.
Such homegrown solutions to the problems of the Pacific have been the priority for the MSG. It appears that is where the difference between the First World Australia and New Zealand and the Third World MSG members cropped up.
It is not upon the developed neighbours to act as policemen for the apparently failing systems bequeathed by the European colonisers to these Pacific countries: Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji, among others.
What was noticeable in the get-together was the unanimous decision not to be moved astray by Australia or New Zealand.
MSG solidarity
The solidarity in the MSG brotherhood was evident, almost tangible.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Peter Shanel, Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman and New Caledonia Representative Charles Wachetin and others agreed with the homegrown path to resolve the political instability in Fiji.
Graham Davies, a Fiji-born journalist and commentator, saw this support for Bainimarama as another coup by (Bainimarama) acquiring the leadership of “an alternative grouping that’s certainly much more representative of the Pacific’s biggest players and biggest populations – nearly seven million people in PNG and 850,000 in Fiji.”
Davies has also been critical of Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd’s reluctance in discussing any thaw or change in the policy towards Fiji.
Former Australian diplomat Jenny Hayward-Jones said it was ironical that some of its strategic defense planners were urging Australia to arm itself with US nuclear submarines to counter a perceived Chinese threat.
“Canberra should be so cavalier about its relationship with a budding Chinese satellite like Fiji,” he said.
Alex Perrottet, Contributing Editor of Pacific Media Watch at the Auckland University of Technology continued the critique of Rudd’s Australian policy.
He echoed what other commentators on Fiji (including this author) have told Australia and New Zealand: That they have been kicking a small country like Fiji in the teeth for being “undemocratic,” while sleeping with bigger undemocratic, even communist, but economically-advantageous and stronger trading partners.
Hypocrisy redefined
Perrottet was critical that despite three invitations from Bainimarama to visit Fiji and observe the developments, Rudd had no time to visit “an undemocratic Fiji.” But Rudd had time to visit many “less than democratic countries,” including Bahrain, Bali, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
While Australia and Rudd had already made up their mind on Fiji, it appears New Zealand was thawing its hard policy, but with a carrot dangling that has become the norm of the big brothers.
The carrot meant that Fiji should come up with some firm commitments for election in 2014 before Bainimarama and the rugby-loving regime’s big guns would be allowed into New Zealand, where Fiji plays in the Rugby World Cup later in the year.
Irrespective of who said what, the fact remains that the raging rhino that started its rush over four years ago has not slowed down, and does not appear to be doing so either, despite so many distractions from its two larger, developed neighbours, who have now been pushed aside.
Fiji now appears to be more at home with its Melanesian brothers.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Rudd and their New Zealand counterparts John Key and Murray McCully can continue to ignore Fiji at their peril, and to the advantage of China.
Thakur Ranjit Singh is a political commentator with a close knowledge of Fiji issues. Email: thakurji@xtra.co.nz
