Fiji floods earlier this month ... target of air assistance by French military in New Caledonia. Photo: Rotary Fiji

Pacific Scoop:
Analysis – By Graham Davis

The presence of a French military aircraft over western Fiji surveying the damage from the recent widespread flooding has again highlighted the close ties between France and the government of the Fijian dictator, Voreqe Bainimarama.

In stark contrast with Australia and New Zealand – which have shunned Fiji since Bainimarama’s coup in 2006 -  France has continued to engage with the regime and provide it with vital assistance.

The Fijian military especially values France’s willingness to give it an aerial reconnaissance and search and rescue capability it simply cannot afford. Read more »

Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka ... carried out the first military coup in Fiji in May 1987. Photo: Indian Weekender

Pacific Scoop:
Opinion – By Arvind Kumar

Almost 25 years after committing treason by carrying out a military coup against a democratically elected government, Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka recently apologised to the Fiji public.

He was sorry, he told the Fiji public- and the world – for the “wrongs” which began at the barrel of the gun at 10am on May 14, 1987, as Parliament met for the day. Then a lieutenant-colonel, Rabuka and his armed henchmen marched into Parliament and took the multiracial government of Dr Timoci Bavadra into captivity.

The event sent ripples around the South Pacific and the world. The moment marked the death of “democratic” rule in the island nation best known for its friendly people and its white, sandy beaches. Read more »

A western Fiji road caves into a river bed in this week's devastating floods. Photo: Rotary Fiji

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By the PMC news desk

Food shortage is a major issue in Fiji in  the wake of this week’s floods as authorities count the cost of the disaster.

The global service organisation Rotary International was coordinating a nation-wide relief campaign, said Auckland-based Alan  Eyes, district governor  of Rotary District 9920, which includes Fiji.

“Fiji Rotary clubs have already donated $6000 for food parcels which are being sourced and distributed to those in need in the west,” he said. Read more »

People stranded at the town-end of Rakiraki in Fiji yesterday. Photo: Islands Development / Fiji Times

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Maciu Malo in Ba, Fiji

A young family in Tukaraki village in Fiji’s western town of Ba has been buried in a landslide  and the nation has declared a state of emergency as the floods death toll reached six.

Villagers and neighbouring villagers spent more than eight hours clearing up the area as they tried to recover the body of Anare Taligo, his wife, and their two children.

State officials say that at least 3500 people are now in temporary shelters in the wake of the flooding that has hit the western end of the main island of Viti Levu. Read more »

Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama ... relaxed laws for 2012. Photo: Graham Davis / Grubsheet

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Pacific Media Watch

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has announced an end to emergency laws that have been in place in the country since 2009, ABC News reports.

In his New Year’s address to the nation, Commodore Bainimarama said the Public Emergency Regulations would end from Saturday.

The regulations give police and the military extended powers, censor the media, and restrict public assembly. Read more »

Former Fiji publisher and columnist Thakur Ranjit Singh (left) with Professor David Robie at the graduation in Auckland. Singh's thesis was about the 2000 Speight attempted coup. Photo: PMC

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By the PMC news desk

A former Fiji Daily Post publisher and columnist who managed the newspaper during crisis times a decade ago has graduated from AUT University after researching a thesis shedding new light on George Speight’s attempted coup in May 2000.

Thakur Ranjit Singh, who was awarded an AUT/Pacific Islands Media Association postgraduate scholarship in 2009, was delighted with his achievement. He pledged to work for a stronger and independent Fiji media.

Singh was awarded a Masters in Communication Studies (MCS) with honours this week for his thesis entitled The 2000 Speight coup in Fiji: An analysis of the role of The Fiji Times and the impact of partisan media. Read more »

Fiji regime's Attorney-General Aiyaz-Sayed-Khaiyum ... warned trade unionists. Photo: Jet

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Shireen Lata in Suva and PMC news desk

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has been warned to stay away from Fiji – and then a delegation of unionists was today sent packing when it arrived.

Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had earlier said the unionists would be deported if they tried to defy the government’s stand and enter Fiji.

ACTU president Helen Kelly and the delegation were barred entry because the regime claimed their fact-finding mission into allegations of repression against unionists would be “biased”. Read more »

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By PMC news desk

The United Nations regional human rights chief has hailed 2011 as a “significant year” for Pacific achievements with all outstanding national reviews being completed.

” It has been an excellent stocktaking exercise for the region and will now act as an important baseline from which to evaluate future progress over the next four years,” said Matilda Bogner, Regional Representative of OHCHR’s Pacific Office in  Suva.

Saturday 10 December marked International Human Rights Day. Read more »

Fiji's military leader and Prime Minister, Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama. Photo: Selwyn Manning

Pacific Scoop:
Commentary – By Graham Davis

The folly of Australian policy towards Fiji is at the centre of a damning new landmark report that suggests the United States has lost confidence in Canberra’s ability to influence events in the Pacific and counter rising Chinese influence in the region.

It calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of regional sanctions against Fiji and for Australia to “repair its relationship at the highest level” by re-engaging with the Bainimarama regime through the Pacific Islands Forum.

“It is well past the time to treat this festering regional wound,” it declares. Read more »

Jasvin Lala (right) ... top graduating student journalist at the University of the South Pacific media awards night. Photo: Vodafone Fiji

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Serelisoni Moceica and a Wansolwara correspondent in Suva

Outstanding student journalists of the University of the South Pacific have been rewarded for their hard work and skills at their annual media awards.

“This is an event that is a priority for the school and we’re sure to have a crop of really good journalists graduating through our programme,” said Professor Sudesh Mishra, head of the School of Language, Arts and Media (SLAM).

The dean of the Faculty of Arts and Law, Dr Akanisi Kedrayate, said the event was dedicated to journalism students and the programme for their efforts throughout the year. Read more »