CHOGM to address Sri Lanka refugee issue Nov 21, 2009
Mr Smith said he was also prepared for attention to remain focused on Fiji at CHOGM, especially in light of the military regime's move this week to seize the nation's broadcasting licences. Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth after refusing to commit to holding a general election in 2010. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Fiji military seizes TV, radio licences Nov 21, 2009
The Fiji military regime's seizure of broadcast licences is a "very bad signal" for international investment and freedom of speech in the Pacific nation, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says. Mr Smith said on Saturday that Fiji's interim Attorney-General and Communications Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had been given new powers, which he had used to strip the licences of broadcasters "at whim" ... "The interim Fiji military government has made changes to its broadcasting and communications... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Leave Fiji alone: Bainimarama tells NZ Nov 15, 2009
Fiji's self-appointed prime minister says New Zealand's deputy high commissioner was expelled from the Pacific nation as a message to "leave us alone". Australia's High Commissioner James Bartley was also told to leave Fiji ... Deputy High Commissioner Todd Cleaver was kicked out of Fiji earlier this month because he was a representative of New Zealand, Cmdr Bainimarama said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Fiji: Coconut dictator Nov 14, 2009
FIJI S military strongman, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has thumped down his fist ... Kevin Rudd, Australia s prime minister, gave warning that Fiji might spread its coup culture across the Pacific ... Some Pacific island leaders, though, who think Australia and New Zealand are being overbearing, are more sympathetic to Fiji s coup leader. (The Economist)
Vote 1 for election day long weekend Nov 13, 2009
Just 13 enforce it (well 14 if you include the military junta of Fiji). Yes folks we are right up there with notables such as Liechtenstein, Nauru, Uruguay and Ecuador. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Hillel finds home at former fraternity site Nov 9, 2009
Planning for the move began five to six years ago, and Rutgers Hillel purchased the new location two years ago from the Fiji alumni association, Getraer said. Danco General Contracting, Inc., a construction company in Morganville, N.J., will supervise the process. (The Daily Targum, NJ)
United States Claims #1 Spot For First Time as World's Top Country Brand Nov 6, 2009
- Canada Holds on to Second Spot and Australia Slips to Number Three - - Global Study Expanded to Cover Regional Rankings Including Asia Pacific, Sub-Sahara Africa and the Americas. This category remains one with tremendous potential not only for tourism but investment, trade and policy. (Canada Newswire)
Military ruler will simply thumb his nose at us Nov 5, 2009
Will the sanctions imposed by Australia and New Zealand succeed in bringing Fiji's military dictator to heel ... We also know from our own historical experience with Fiji the futility of sanctions ... Australia and New Zealand cut off aid to Fiji when Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka seized power in a coup. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Fresh violence hits south Sudan Nov 3, 2009
Fiji expels NZ, Australia envoys. Taking the capital out of a city. (BBC News -- Africa)
MP sorry for Nazi analogy e-mail Nov 3, 2009
Page last updated at 21:08 GMT, Monday, 2 November 2009. The Tory MP says he confident of being cleared of any expenses wrongdoing. (BBC News -- UK)
Images of pure beauty Oct 21, 2009
Liz Dombrovskis accompanied her husband on many of his wilderness trips, to Borneo, northern Queensland and Fiji as well as his home state. But ''fortunately or unfortunately, I wasn't with him when he died. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
* A huff and a puff, and shell blow the house down Oct 15, 2009
She is an environmentalist but orders Fiji water in the restaurant, which, greens will tell you, is so bad it means somewhere a fairy dies. She is very serious about politics and debate, but possesses enough of a sense of fun, or PR savvy, to list among her proudest achievements the Huffington Posts backstage chill-out area at the Democratic convention last summer. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Fiji suspended from Commonwealth Sep 2, 2009
Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma cited Fiji's lack of progress towards democracy as the reason behind the suspension. The Commonwealth has fully suspended Fiji after it refused to bow to demands to call elections by next year ... Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized power in Fiji in a 2006 coup and has said elections can only be reinstated in 2014, as part of his "roadmap". (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Kennedy and the "Little Guy" Aug 28, 2009
Is it TRUE that the Kennedy Family Trust is far off shore in Fiji. Where they have never had to worry about paying " a fair share" ( as us little guys have to) upon death, and thus redistribute our hard earned , already taxed, minute fortunes. (CBS News)
Bainimarama could make himself president Aug 21, 2009
Fiji's controversial prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, might elect himself as president and style his leadership on the all-powerful US model to rule the troubled nation, a leading academic has warned ... The acting president, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, is seen as a leading contender for the job, but Fiji academic Steven Ratuva says Bainimarama may choose to take the job himself and reconfigure it to become an Obama-type figure in Fiji ... Fiji has become increasingly isolated in recent months over... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Who is controlling whom? Aug 11, 2009
" They only say they do, then pass laws taxing everybody else but themselves. Why is the big Kennedy money in Fiji? ". (return of) joe wrote on Aug 10, 2009 12:51 PM:" Getting back to Clayson's question, he apparently didn't learn, like I did, seven years ago that the Executive branch of government holds executive, ultimate authority. Attorneys told us that seven years ago.So, yes, the Executive branch has executive authority, as was the case for the past seven years.Irony... ;) ". (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Fiji coup leader won't speed up election Aug 3, 2009
Fiji's defiant coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama has rejected mounting international pressure to stage elections by next year. Fiji has already been suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum for delaying a return to democracy and faces suspension from the Commonwealth in two months if it fails to commit to new elections by 2010 ... But Bainimarama, who seized power in a 2006 coup and has ruled out the possibility of democratic elections before 2014, told the FijiLive website on Monday his timeline... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Legislators' choice: Cut education more, or get creative Jul 30, 2009
It's nice that Boise State University offers a Canadian studies program, that you can get a master's degree in rhetorical science at Idaho State University, and that University of Idaho students can spend a semester in Fiji. Maybe after the economy rebounds we can afford them again. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Fiji's military ruler says ousted PM still popular Jul 26, 2009
(AP) CANBERRA, Australia - Fiji's military ruler says the prime minister he ousted in a coup three years ago would be returned to power if democratic elections were held tomorrow in the South Pacific island nation. In a television interview to be screened by Australian public broadcaster SBS late Sunday, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, Fiji's self-appointed prime minister, reiterated that he would not bend to international pressure to hold elections before 2014 ... He said he wanted to first create... (OregonLive, OR -- News)
China 'stumbling' in the Pacific Jul 25, 2009
China "should seize the opportunity presented by the diplomatic truce ushered in by the election of President Ma to refocus its Pacific aid programme Fergus Hanson, Lowy Institute for International Policy "China pledges aid in an erratic manner, funds projects without regard to recurring costs, and the secrecy surrounding its programme obstructs development outcomes, and breeds suspicion," it says. Details of China's aid budgets are considered a state secret, it adds, although it appends a full... (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Fiji church leaders arrested by regime Jul 23, 2009
Fiji's military regime has arrested at least a dozen church leaders in a heavy-handed move to silence anti-government sentiment. Tensions between Fiji's dominant Methodist Church and the self-appointed government have been building since authorities forced the cancellation of their age-old annual religious meeting ... New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the crackdown was "very concerning" but indicated that Fijian civilians were becoming fed up with military rule. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Arrests at new Iranian protests Jul 22, 2009
Fiji police hold church leaders. Africa HIV city care questioned. (BBC News -- Africa)
Congo leader wins disputed poll Jul 16, 2009
Page last updated at 19:06 GMT, Wednesday, 15 July 2009 20:06 UK. Mr Sassou-Nguesso has won another seven-year term. (BBC News -- Africa)
Cities 'reliant on public jobs' Jul 16, 2009
Page last updated at 23:08 GMT, Wednesday, 15 July 2009 00:08 UK. Cities 'reliant on public jobs. (BBC News -- UK)
Obituary: Benazir Bhutto Jul 16, 2009
Fiji freemasons held for sorcery. Iran plane black boxes 'damaged. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Liberia's Taylor trial adjourned Jul 16, 2009
Fiji freemasons held for sorcery ... Fiji freemasons held for sorcery. (Yahoo News -- Liberia)
Bainimarama lying about elections: forum Jul 9, 2009
Fiji's military ruler Frank Bainimarama lied when he pledged to take his troubled country to the polls in 2014, the head of the Pacific Islands Forum says ... Key's four-day tour of the Pacific pointedly avoids Fiji, which was ousted from the forum in May over failed election promises ... The Kiwi leader said he and his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd decided last weekend to shift the focus away from Fiji and on to pushing ahead with economic development in a region struggling with drops in... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
UN RISK INDEX Jun 16, 2009
But when the index is weighted for population the list is headed by Colombia, with a number of small nations such as Comoros, Dominica, Vanuatu and Fiji also high up. A "multi" index averages these two to reflect both perspectives. (AlertNet)
Fijian president reinstates judges May 23, 2009
Fijian leader reinstates judges ... Fiji's president has reappointed the country's chief justice and named three judges, just weeks after scrapping the constitution and sacking the judiciary ... Fiji's justice system had largely come to a halt since 10 April, when the president abolished the constitution and imposed emergency rule following the appeal court decision. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Spio Lauds Mills May 9, 2009
On the sidelines of a recent official visit to Australia and Fiji, in his capacity as the CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, Dr Spio-Garbrah had the opportunity to chat with various Ghanaians living in Australia, NDC members and members of the Friends of Spio-Garbrah movement about recent developments in Ghana. He lauded President Atta Mills on his 100 day anniversary. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
* Fiji ousted from forum May 3, 2009
Fiji ousted from forum ... Military-ruled Fiji remained defiant yesterday after its historic suspension from the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum, rejecting the punitive action over a delayed election and warning it wont be deterred from its chosen path even by adversity ... The suspension, the first in the forums 37-year history, bars Fijis leader, ministers and officials from taking part in any meetings or events and cuts Fiji out of development funding until a democratic government... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
• Fiji defiant after ouster from Pacific bloc May 2, 2009
com: Fiji defiant after ouster from Pacific bloc ... Fiji defiant after ouster from Pacific bloc ... Military-ruled Fiji remained defiant Saturday after its historic suspension from the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum, rejecting the "punitive action" for delayed election and warning it won't be deterred from its chosen path even by "adversity.". (Herald Sun)
Fiji, Facing Suspension From Pacific Forum, Rejects Calling New Elections May 1, 2009
Fiji, Facing Suspension From Pacific Forum, Rejects Elections - Bloomberg ... Fiji, Facing Suspension From Pacific Forum, Rejects Elections ... May 1 (Bloomberg) -- Fiji faces suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum and risks further international isolation as the countrys military ruler again rejected restoring civilian government by the end of the year. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Fiji leader defies election call May 1, 2009
Fiji's military leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has defied international demands for a return to democracy ... But the Fijian leader said that polls would not be held until 2014 at the earliest ... Australia and New Zealand have said that Fiji has effectively become a military dictatorship. (BBC News)
We cannot be challenged, declare Fiji coup leaders Apr 17, 2009
SUVA: Fiji's self-appointed leaders have tightened their grip on power, saying they were determined to transform the nation and that their word was law and could not be challenged ... "We have made our stand," said Commodore Bainimarama, unfazed by international condemnation of the latest crackdown in Fiji ... The President, Josefa Iloilo, who last week scrapped the constitution, sacked the judiciary and appointed himself head of state, announced that none of his decrees can be challenged, the... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Mixed views on expat vote Apr 16, 2009
The smallest voting stations were Asmara (Eritrea), Suva (Fiji), Ramallah (Palestine), Bujumbura (Burundi) and Trinidad o (Port of Spain) each having only one registered voter. To ensure both the secrecy and legitimacy of overseas votes, the IEC had set up a two-envelope system. (iAfrica.com)
Fiji says call for elections 'obsessive' Apr 15, 2009
Fiji says call for elections 'obsessive ... FIJI'S military regime has criticised Australia for being "obsessed" with elections and rejected Kevin Rudd's description of the Fijian leadership as a virtual military dictatorship ... "The people of Fiji do not want to hold elections for the sake of holding elections to satisfy Australia and New Zealand, if the credibility of the elections are in doubt ; Because [Fiji has] a commander of the military forces who is also a prime minister does not make... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
South Africa: Thousands of Expats Cast First Votes Apr 15, 2009
Other voting stations with the lowest number of registered voters are Asmara (Eritrea), Suva (Fiji), Ramallah (Palestine), Bujumbura (Burundi) and Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain) with only one voter each. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and her South African delegation are expected to cast their vote in Geneva, Switzerland later today. (allAfrica.com)
Expats gear up to vote Apr 14, 2009
The voting stations with the lowest number of voters are Asmara (Eritrea), Suva (Fiji), Ramallah (Palestine), Bujumbura (Burundi) and Trinidad o (Port of Spain) with only one voter each. To ensure both the secrecy and legitimacy of overseas votes, the IEC has set up a two envelope system. (iAfrica.com)
ABC journalist ordered out of Fiji Apr 13, 2009
An Australian journalist has been asked to leave Fiji by government officials who are unhappy at his coverage of political upheaval in the troubled island nation. ABC correspondent Sean Dorney was reporting on the latest developments in Fiji when he was contacted by immigration officials today and ordered to leave ... "They called me to the immigration department this morning and informed me they were unhappy with my reporting, which was being broadcast on the local Fiji One network," Dorney... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Fiji now a military dictatorship: Smith Apr 13, 2009
Australia's foreign minister says Fiji is now in effect a military dictatorship and the international community must find ways to bring the Pacific nation back to democracy ... ABC journalist Sean Dorney has become a victim of a crackdown on domestic and foreign media, with the Fiji authorities beginning the process of deporting him because of his reporting ... "They called me to the immigration department this morning and informed me they were unhappy with my reporting, which was being... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Fiji at risk of becoming 'next Burma' Apr 13, 2009
Fiji at risk of becoming 'next Burma ... Fiji is slated to become the Burma of the South Pacific, say regional experts who warn the troubled nation is now staring down the barrel at years of stifling military rule and financial destitution ... Regional commentators have labelled as an "outrage" the latest developments in Fiji in which the country's military ruler, Frank Bainimarama, returned to the leadership helm with more power than ever. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Media crackdown by Fiji military Apr 13, 2009
Fijians are feeling the force of a new military government with censors now controlling the media. Under a 30-day state of emergency, newspapers and broadcasters are not allowed to carry stories critical of the army's grip on power in Fiji ... Editors at Fiji's newspapers as well as its television and radio stations have been ordered not to publish or broadcast any material that shows the military in a bad light. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Fiji military coup was illegal, rules court Apr 10, 2009
Frank Bainimarama (right) is seen at the swearing in ceremony of Fiji's interim Prime Minister, Jona Senilagakali (left) shortly after the coup in December 2006 ... THREE Sydney barristers sitting as Fiji's Court of Appeal have found that the 2006 military coup was unconstitutional and have ordered that democracy be restored by holding fresh elections ... "As judges of this court we can only express the hope that the people of Fiji will again have freedom of choice of their parliamentary... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Rudd condemns Fiji president's actions Apr 10, 2009
Australia has condemned the end of democracy and the rule of law in Fiji, and warned its citizens to be cautious when visiting the country. President Ratu Josefa Iloilo appointed himself head of state and repealed Fiji's constitution on Friday ... He also sacked the country's judges, following Thursday's Court of Appeal ruling that Fiji's military regime was illegal. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Fiji's president takes charge Apr 10, 2009
Fijian President Ratu Josefa Iloilo in 2000. Fiji is in a state of political flux after President President Ratu Josefa Iloilo announced he had repealed the country's constitution, appointed himself head of state and set a 2014 election deadline ... "I urge you all to work together with the soon-to-be-appointed government for the smooth transition to a new order.'' Thursday's court ruling, which declared the interim government of coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama to be invalid, ruled that Iloilo... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Fiji president takes over, says will name new govt Apr 10, 2009
SUVA, April 10 (Reuters) - Fiji's president revoked the politically unstable South Pacific nation's constitution on Friday, named himself to temporarily replace a post-coup interim government and called for fresh elections by 2014 ... His actions come after an administration headed by military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama since a bloodless December 2006 coup was declared illegal by Fiji's Court of Appeal on Thursday ... Fiji has suffered four coups and a bloody military mutiny since... (AlertNet)
Fiji 'in dire straits' as poll deadline nears Apr 9, 2009
AUCKLAND: Fiji is sliding into a "desperate state" as its military leadership continues to thumb its nose at a looming deadline for elections ... "It's the military's doing but it's the Fijian people that are really going to start hurting." ... "We join New Zealand in encouraging Fiji's interim Government to abide by the Pacific Island Forum's benchmarks and timetable to restore democracy to that country," she said after meeting New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Murray McCully. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
The liberal dream has gone sour Mar 11, 2009
" Illegally? What a baseless accusation to make. What makes it illegal to bank overseas? Also, where does Ted Kennedy hide the family fortune? Fiji, last I heard.. ". timbrackett wrote on Mar 10, 2009 12:40 PM:" xdfred wrote on Mar 10, 2009 10:45 AM:". (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Military ruler rejects deadline for Fiji poll Mar 6, 2009
AUCKLAND: Fiji's military ruler, Frank Bainimarama, has thumbed his nose at the Commonwealth and told it to kick his country out of its ministerial group. Commodore Bainimarama, in power since overthrowing the democratic government in December 2006, has rejected a new six-month deadline set by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to hold an election, saying Fiji will not go to the polls this year ... The self-appointed leader said he expected the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Fiji coup leader rules out vote Mar 5, 2009
Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the military ruler of Fiji, has rejected a demand from the Commonwealth to prepare for elections ... He ousted the elected government in a 2006 coup after which the Commonwealth suspended Fiji's membership ... Ministers and representatives from nine Commonwealth countries said after a meeting on Wednesday in London that they "deplored the fact that Fiji remained in contravention of Commonwealth values and principles". (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
A Google search of a distinctly retro kind Mar 4, 2009
So far, more than 200 advertisements have run in more than 70 languages: in highbrow periodicals like The New York Review of Books and The Poetry Review in Britain; in general-interest publications like Parade and USA Today; in obscure foreign trade journals like China Copyright and Svensk Bokhandel; and in newspapers in places like Fiji, Greenland, the Falkland Islands, and the Micronesian island of Niue (the name is roughly translated as Behold the Coconut. which has one newspaper. (International Herald Tribune)
UN Team Visits Fiji for Talks on Restoring Democracy Two Years After Coup Feb 10, 2009
UN Team Visits Fiji to Mediate Talks on Restoring Democracy ... Feb. 10 (Bloomberg) -- A team from the United Nations and the 53-member Commonwealth arrived in Fiji to mediate talks on restoring democracy, more than two years after a military coup ... During a five-day trip to Fiji, the team will help Bainimaramas government and main parties agree on the terms and conditions for talks aimed at restoring democracy, the UN said in a statement. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Solomons declares floods disaster Feb 7, 2009
Since December, flooding has also hit the Pacific island nations of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, forcing tens of thousands of islanders to flee their homes. The Solomons has a population of about 500,000 mainly ethnic Melanesians, spread across hundreds of islands, which gained independence from Britain in 1978. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Eyewitness: Fiji's worst floods Feb 7, 2009
Severe flooding in Fiji has killed at least 10 people and left thousands in temporary shelters. A Fiji resident, agricultural consultant Charles Eaton, describes the impact of the storms ... There has been a lot of damage to the shops in the towns of western Fiji, particularly in Nadi which is the hub of the tourist industry. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
