The sight of the sky-blue Fiji flag among the forest of flags borne along the River Thames for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee pageant was a startling reminder that despite being suspended from the Commonwealth, Fiji is still part of the Commonwealth family. It’s a bit like a wayward sibling at any family celebration. No-one wants to condone their behaviour – in Fiji’s case, the 2006 coup – yet equally no-one can bring themselves to keep them away because they’re, well, family. Officially, Fiji remains a Commonwealth member during its suspension but is “excluded from emblematic representation by the secretariat”. That evidently doesn’t preclude “emblematic representation” for Fiji itself on a rain-soaked London afternoon before a beaming monarch and a million cheering spectators.
As with most families, the relationship is complicated and full of contradictions. This is especially so when the Queen – as head of the Commonwealth – has had such a close relationship with Fiji over the years and the bonds of affection endure. The country has been red-carded twice – first in 1987 and then in 2006 after Frank Bainimarama’s coup. Yet no-one blames the Queen herself and the whole country gets a holiday in her honour next Monday, June 11th, to commemorate her official birthday. The official coat of arms still exhorts Fijians to “Fear God and Honour the King ( or Queen)” and the Union Jack remains part of the Fiji flag. Commodore Bainimarama himself continues to work at his desk directly under a portrait of Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh and there’s also a large portrait of her in the offices of his deputy, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.
Yet nearly 25 years after Sitiveni Rabuka declared Fiji a republic, there are clear signs of the link being diluted. The Queen’s image still appears on the country’s currency but not for much longer. She’s to be replaced with notes and coins bearing images of native plants and fauna. Grubsheet, for one, is yet to be convinced that substituting the grand old lady for a vudi or an iguana is a great idea, even if it’s in line with the times. But we’re far more interested in a larger question: will Elizabeth II eventually be restored as Queen of Fiji when democracy returns in the promised election of 2014? It hasn’t been part of the current debate on a new constitution and, in our view, deserves to be.
Few people realise that the declaration of the republic in 1987 didn’t alter an important fact; that HM is still regarded at the apex of the Vanua – indigenous society – as the Queen of Fiji. In fact, the Great Council of Chiefs reaffirmed Elizabeth II as Tui Viti – Queen of Fiji – as recently as 2002, even though the title has no constitutional or legal status, the Queen doesn’t use it and no government recognises it. The Council’s then chairman, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, declared that Elizabeth was still the traditional Queen or paramount chief and regarded as Tui Viti. He noted that most members of the GCC were descendants and blood relatives of the chiefs who ceded Fiji to Queen Victoria, Elizabeth’s great-great-grandmother. Now that the GCC has been officially de-established by the Bainimarama regime and deprived of its powers, does this in any way alter this recognition of the Queen as “chief of chiefs”? That too isn’t yet part of any debate.
Frank Bainimarama’s position on the whole issue seems to have evolved since he told Grubsheet three years ago that he and most Fijians would like to see Elizabeth restored as Queen of Fiji. The clear implication was that she would eventually return as head of state and be represented by a governor general. Yet in our most recent interview three months ago, the prime minister said while he’d still like to see the Queen restored, he envisaged the office of president being retained. This implies that instead of turning the clock back fully, Fiji would remain a republic within the Commonwealth with the president, not the Queen, as its head of state.
But what does the Queen think herself? She was specifically asked the question when Sitiveni Rabuka met her in 1997 and presented her with a tabua– a whale’s tooth – in an act of formal contrition for having unceremoniously dumped her in the first place. Her answer was simple and to the point – “ let the people decide”. Given that ordinary Fijians weren’t consulted when the link to the Crown was severed, is there any reason why they shouldn’t be given a chance to do so when democracy is finally restored? Yes, 25 years have elapsed and the monarchy may no longer be as relevant to many younger people who don’t remember the strength of the bond for their elders. But Fijians should at least be consulted if a decision is made to finally and irrevocably sever a link that’s still important to many citizens and is an important part of the country’s history.
One could argue that many of the divisions and rivalries in the Vanua might be assuaged by restoring Elizabeth’s preeminent position in national life. Because it’s certainly part of the reason Queen Victoria got the title of Tui Viti in the first place when the chiefs ceded Fiji to her back in 1874. Any election in 2014 can and should be accompanied by a referendum that asks a simple question: Should Fiji formally ask the Queen to become head of state again? A yes vote would represent the first time a monarchy has been restored in the 21st century. It would also bring history full circle, help erase the blot of the past 25 years and reestablish the Queen as a symbol of unity, not just for the i’taukei but the whole country.
VIDEO LINK: The depth of the mutual affection between Fiji and the Queen can be gauged from this film of her 1953 visit recently released by the NZ National Archives.
This article has subsequently appeared in the Fiji Sun.
FURTHER READING: Support for the monarchy in Australia has reached 58 per cent, a 25 year high, according to this account in The Australian.
Yes a very good article indeed Graham.I keep watching the BBC scripts on the celebrations in Britain over and over again.Very colourful and so great to see the Brits despite the weather turning out in numbers,true to their culture,true to their heritage,true to their monarch dynasty and enjoy the festivities.My memories go back to class 1 in primary school when we used to sing God Save the Queen and this changed on October 10 when we started singing Blessing Grant
Long Live The Queen
Indeed, Long May She Reign!
@ Graham
This is a lovely idea and one that would appeal to most of the people of Fiji. But alas it will only ever remain an idea as there is not the political will on either the side of Britain or Fiji.
The Queen might want to once again be the queen of Fiji, but I am not sure this would be the case and certainly not under Bainimarama. In the early days of independence the Queen knew the leaders of Fiji well. She had personally knighted them and Ratu Mara was a Privy Councillor. He was a trusted advisor. But the Queen knows no one in Fiji any longer that personal relationship is no longer there. Indeed if anything she might feel animosity towards the present regime because it was Bainimarama who removed Ratu Mara as President.
But at the end of the day it is not the Queen’s decision. The decision as to whether she once again becomes Queen of Fiji would be made by the faceless bureaucrats in the Foreign Office. For them there is very little upside but a whole lot of risk. On the upside is the short term publicity gain of Fiji wanting to become a monarchy in contrast to the republican movement in other countries. But the risk is considerable; Fiji has had 4 coups in 25 years, the military is the preeminent political organization in the country and there is very little guarantee the military will not get involved in politics again. (Assuming the 2014 elections go ahead). Why would they allow the Queen to be closely associated to such a country?
On Fiji’s point of view it is the last thing Bainimarama wants to happen but he cannot say so publicly because of the public support for Fiji to become a monarchy. Before the 2014 elections Bainimarama will become the Head of State. As Head of State he will have some executive powers and the right of Veto. It is in this way he can safe guard the military’s view on how Fiji should be run, without the risk of losing an election.
Bainimarama knows that should Fiji become a monarchy there is not a chance that he would be made Governor General. The Queen cannot be seen to reward a coupster nor would she want to help a man who removed her friend from the presidency.
Up the Monarchy
If you think the Queen and Britain thinks that way then how come she was able to acknowledge and receive the representation of Fiji’s High Commissioner to Britain as depicted in the photo above?And the fact that the Queen and the British government is still significantly represented in Fiji by its High Commissioner.
All coup,political and republican issues aside I think the relationship between the Fijian and British people still remain very strong.One example is the contribution of Fijian citizens to the British Army and Navy which goes back a long way especially Fiji;s notable representation in the world reknown and famous SAS something we are all proud of.
Fiji is also following some English events that occured way back in the 15th century.That of Oliver Cromwell.Whether this will transform Fiji’s political and parlimentary processes, only time will tell.
Wilson, this is up the Monarchy but having trouble posting so tried a different name.
You should understand the difference between having a close and warm relationship with the country and people of Fiji versus its despotic leader Bainimarama. The UK has very strong and friendly links with Fiji. As you mentioned there is the association with the British Army, Tate and Lyle buys most of the sugar produced in Fiji and it is Fiji’s association with Britain that has brought all the aid from the EU.
However, there is a big difference between supporting a country and giving support to a dictator.
As you know every ambassador or High Commissioner presents their credentials to the Head of State of the country they are responsible for. Solo Mara as Fiji’s ambassador has to present his credentials to the Queen and she has to receive them.
However, what you might not know is that Meli Bainimarama, the dictator’s brother, was Fiji’s first choice to go to London as Ambassador to the Court of St James. However, The British Government told the Fiji government that he was not acceptable because of his close association with a military dictator. So Bainimarama did not go and Solo Mara who was deemed to be acceptable went in his place.
If Fiji once again has her Majesty as their Head of State she will appoint a Governor General to be her representative in Fiji. As you can see from the above there is no way she could allow Bainimarama to be her representative. He might become her prime minister as that is a position elected by the people. However he would never become her Governor General because that is her representative and his record of ignoring the constitution would prohibit it.
@ Wilson
Well said.
‘Up the Monarchy’ has allowed him/herself to be blinded by his/her dislike for Bainimarama. But convienently forgets to consider how the Queen received Fiji’s father of coups, Sitiveni Rabuka, who threw ot the Queen’s representaive in Fiji in 1987. Yet the Queen was gracious enough to receive his supplication, delivered of course in the fawning crouch position that Solo Mara mimicked in London when meeting her.
‘Up the Monarchy’ seems to think that the Queen is still the feudal ruler of 300 years ago; a monarch who rules according to her whims and who takes things personally when her friends (eg Mara) have been slighted. You rightly point out that she represents the British people and what is at issue is the strenghth of the relationship between the British people and the people of Fiji.
Needless to point out, it is a relationship that is not based on individual personalities (although that does help when she deals with the Cakobau’s, Mara & Ganilau’s etc).
She represents the British people and its relationship with Fiji. That relationship was forged in 1874 with her great grandmother Victoria and of course strengthened by loyal service to the Crown of many Fijians.
‘Up the Monarchy’ s myopia with Bainimarama has clouded his/her judgement.
BTW, like you I too had to stand up in the school assembly in Fiji and sing God Save the Queen as we raised the Union Jack on the school flagpole. We must be of the same vintage!
For sure: God save the Queen!
Pious,
I actually specifically said it was not her decision but her advisors and the British Government who would decide whether they would allow Fiji to have Her Majesty the Queen as the head of state.
Rabuka was an elected Prime Minister at the time and as head of the Commonwealth it is one of her duties to meet with the Prime Minister’s of the commonwealth Countries. It is a far cry from meeting him as Prime Minister to appointing him as her Governor General.
If the 2014 elections are deemed to be fair and Fiji is readmitted into the Commonwealth. If Bainimarama is elected Prime Minister then she would meet him at the Commonwealth heads of Government meeting.
But under no circumstances would she appoint him as her Governor General. A man with Bainimarama’s record could never be her representative.
As I said I do not believe Bainimarama will run for election. Instead he will become Head of State and because he knows he can never be Governor General, Fiji will have to remain a republic with a President.
@ Pious
“…the fawning crouch position”….isn’t that position 73.A (iii) in the Kama Sutra?
LOL
Why can’t Fiji get its own king/queen/vunivalu instead of borrowing that of another country? lol
@ Petelo
Ya, you Samoans should be thankful to the Queen as well as to British, NZ and Fijian naval and military forces for liberating Samoa in Aughust 1914, otherwise you will still be a German colony!
Your arrogance towards the Queen and the role her subjects played in the world stems from an ignorance of your own history!
I was gonna encourage you to go crawl back under your rock, but I wont
Now you’re making up fairytales. Fiji was never a part of the NZ Expeditionary force that rowed their boats ashore at Apia harbour in 1914.
@ Petelo
Go check your history my friend. The NZ and British “Samoan Expeditionary Force” called in to Suva en route to Samoa and picked up a group of Fijian soldiers and about 10 Samoan interpreters from Fiji.
The German flag that was flying at the wooden courthouse in Apia that served as the German HQ at the time, was hauled down by a soldier from Fiji, Private HF Bailey of Suva. This signalled the collapse of German authority in Samoa. In its place the Fijian soldiers hauled up the Union Jack (do you know what that is?)
After you Samoans were liberated, the Fijian soldiers continued to serve there with the NZ 3rd Auckland Regiment. A group of Fijian soldiers were tasked with securing the wireless station at Taifagata. Others were attached to the ‘Intelligence’ section where they used with their Samoan interpreters from Fiji. The Samoan interpreters from Fiji were led by one Moefa’ano Melea.
Dr Schulz, the German Governor of Samoa, Herr Marz his senior advisor, Commandant Hirsch and others were taken into custody and sent into incacaeration in Fiji where they were well treated as guests of the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
So there you go Petelo. Here is a Fijian educating you on a part of your history that you dont even know.
Your ignorance now proven; all that you now need to work on is your arrogance towards the everything British that Fiji was very much part of…including the 4,000 Fijian men and women who continue to serve in the British Army today.
A lesson for you Petelo and your fat PM Tuilaepa: you have to show respect first of you want to get it back.
Liberated? Life was better under the Germans. How about you do your homework first before pontificating on Samoan history. One-third of Samoa’s population died in the flu epidemic due to NZ incompetence. The last port of call before Apia was Suva. Hmmm, probably suva’s disease-ridden port helped exascerbate the flu epidemic.
@ Petelo
You must be one big Samoan dumb ass coz you obviously dont know your own history and must rely on a Fijian to put you right.
You dont dispute that Fijians helped liberate Samoans from your dear Huns who you reckon ruled you so benevolently. Thats your call. But ask anyone in Europe who sufferred under German occupation in Europe during 1914-1918 and 1939-45 and they tell a very different story. You must have your head up your ass!
As for suggesting that the Samoan influenza epidemic was picked in Suva, is preposterous and once agin demonstrates your ignorance of the facts.
Let me tell you once again about your own history with regard to the influenza eoidemic in Samoa in 1918 that killed over 8,000 people.
The influenza virus was brough to Samoa by the NZ passenger ship ‘Talune’ which called into Apia on 7 Nov 1918….four years after the NZ & Fijians kicked your beloved Huns out of Samoa.
Prior to berthing in Apia, the ‘Talune’ had called into Suva but because there were passengers on board with influenza, Fijian authorities had the ship quarantined.
So the ‘Talune’ then sailed for Apia where the not-so-smart and lazy Samoans did not bother to quarantine the ship and allowed the sick passengers ashore. More than 8,000 Samoans died as a result.
So my friend, you are caught out once again by your ignorance of your own history. Dont they teach Samoan history in your secondary schools there? No wonder you are so dumb
How many Samoans have won the VC? (Fiji 1 : Samoa 0)
How many Samoans have made the list of 100 or so that were recently rated by the BBC as having had the most influence during the current Queen’s reign? (Fiji 1 : Samoa 0)
What country in the South Pacific is rated as the best tourist destination?
And the list goes on…yawn
Petelo and your mentor Tavita and the fat Tuilaepa, should go take a bex and have a lie down. Stop rubishhing Fiji coz you are only exposing your own limitations.
Aren’t you guys banned from the Commonwealth at present? haha
Look, if you want us to intercede for you, all you have to do is get on your knees and kiss our feet lol
Petelo
You are not a Fijian so stick your tongue to your country with with your leader fat Tuilaepa and his lapdog tavita
With respect to the Queen on the currency and the Union Jack on the flag, it does predispose the notion that, Fiji is a republic with an identity crisis.
But hold the press, since Fiji Government is reportedly siding with Argentina on the issue of Falklands/Malvinas; undoubtedly those faceless bureaucrats in Whitehall will be fuming and the issue of Commonwealth reinstatement among other issues will be not considered with much alacrity.
http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2012/06/06/govt-backs-malvinas/
petelo
yes we are banned from the commonwealth, and this is the second or third time and we will be back in no time once we we have elections.
if you are trying to compare that backwater country of yours to Fiji you better go and have your head checked. Oh by the way do they still run those halfcut truck/bus in Samoa?
if I were you I wouldn’t be so condescending of Samoa..there is extreme poverty in Fiji you will never see in Samoa and much of its villages and towns are dirty and filthy..
terry tuilaepa tevita
You mean to say that there is no poverty in samoa, what a load of crap. There is poverty everywhere in the world you dumbass.
there is poverty in Samoa, but not as bad as Fiji..
@ Tavita
Once again you Samoans dont like to be confronted by the facts. Tut..tut…for a backwater island nation aspiring to a regional leadership role this is hardly adding to your leadership aspirations. I mean, if you guys cant separate fact from fiction…cant remove your own personal biases and petty jealousies held against another Paciific island nation, then you really cant claim the moral high ground.
You say that poverty in Samoa is not as bad as Fiji. Once agin lets look at the facts.
Lets start by noting that unlike Fiji, Samoa is classified by the UN as a ‘least developed country’ (LDC). LDC’s have the lowest indicators of socio-economic development. They also have the lowest human development rating of all countries in the world.
The three critieria that determins LDC status are:
1. low income with a three year average of less than US$905
2. himan resource weakness based on indictors of nutrition, health, education and adult literacy
3. economic vulnerability ie instability of agricultural production, instability of exports etc
Samoa is one of the 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific region that is classified as an LDC.
Fiji is not. It is way above Samoa in GDP per capita.
As an LDC, Samoa relies very heavily on overseas aid to combat poverty.
That explains why Tuilaepa is kow-towing, kissing ass, and being at the beck and call of his paymasters in Wellington and Canberra. He cat affordf to rile his paymasters because he knows that if he does, he wont be enjoying Palm or Hellaby corned beef from NZ in his palusami.
I am surprised that as the chief media spokesman for Tuilaepa you are not awre of this. No wonder Tuilaepa makes a fool of himself every time he opens his mouth! He is not apprised of the facts by his media advisors who are equally ignorant and prejudiced against others in the region who stasnd way above them in economoc performance.
So lets look at the facts.
Tavita
Hey dude, there is even poverty here in the USA, lots of homeless and jobless people.Poverty is a fact of life amigo so no country on earth is spared.
There is no poverty in Samoa, thats why terry tavita and Tuilaepa are both obese.
methinks there is poverty in Samoa. why else, when terry tavita’s luggage was searched at one of the airports, out came pillows and bedsheets from the hotel he had been saying in. This is from an eyewitness, who has already posted this information in one the online discussions.
terry, you are a joke, just like your PM.
you can come out now graham..hehe..my family aint rich but we gots plenty of pillows and bedsheets..must be a fijian who did that..everybody knows they the biggest thieves in the Pacific..
Terry, what on earth do you mean “you can come out now, Graham?” None of this is me. I write under my own name, just as you do.
Although I’m aware of other dirty linen in your closet, I had no idea about the bed sheet allegations and aren’t in any position to comment.
But I do think your description of Fijians as the biggest thieves in the Pacific is an extraordinary statement for someone in your position to make. I guess if you get wasted in Birdland and other Suva haunts and chase transvestites into toilets, you’re bound to attract an undesirable element.
I’m in Suva and haven’t been robbed. I haven’t even been able to find a transvestite. But then my life is a lot more uneventful than yours.
It’s taken from the same page, the same anonymous comments you used in your stupid articles about me you dumb sh!t..
http://www.coupfourandahalf.com/2010/09/talk-of-another-coup-revived.html
terry
what a lowdown SOB you are stealing from a hotel.Are gonna give tuilaepa the sheets to wipe his ass
mr terry, it looks like you dont have anything good to say about fiji and fijians. I suggest you never go to fiji if it is that bad. you like to hang out at the bars around suva when you are around and i am sure you enjoy it, but please if fiji is that bad stay away.
people on here have nothing better to say about samoa..you insult my country you better expect I’ll return the compliment..
@ Tavita
Oi…you and your PM started all this rubbish. Traditionally Fijians dont criticise another regional country…its not our custom. You guys do it to our ‘kainga’ the Tongans on a regular basis but now that you have tried this trick on Fiji, Fijians have hit back via various postings on this thread with a vengenace.
We dont take things lying down, especially if it is uncalled for, mealy-mouthed and in bad taste. You have allowed your differences with the PINA to extend to criticisms of Fiji as a whole. Totally unnecessary and only exposes the type of person you are and, quite clearly, the quality of advice PM Tuilaepa recieves from his media advisors like yoursef. No wonder Tuilaepa makes a fool of himself every time he opens his mouth.
By you style you have sullied the reputation of Samoa and Samoans which we in Fiji have great affection for. All the quality Samoans were/are in the Manu Samoa rugby team eg Fatialofa, Lam, Schwalger,Tuilagi etc. These guys are household names in Fiji. They are the true Samoans who have put their bodies on the line for Samoa. They have our respect.
the samoan pm never criticized Fiji..he only criticized dictator bainimarama and the military regime..if you can’t figure that out then you’re as dumb as graham davies and frank..
Terry, as I’ve said before, it’s Davis, not Davies. This is the second time I’ve had to pull you up on this.
Thanks to “Anonoymous” we know that your country is classified by the UN as an LDC – a Least Developed Country – so perhaps media standards in Samoa are also less developed.
You call me a “dumb shit” but for a journalist to be so sloppy with the facts suggests that maybe you are even dumber than me.
Terry
I dont want to engage in gutter talks with you, but I have A question for you and I want a straight answer.
WHAT HAS MR BAINIMARAMA DONE TO SAMOA TO MAKE YOU HATE HIM SO MUCH.
I have never heard Frank Bainimarama say any derogatory words about Terry Tavita and Tuilaepa and yet these two guys continue to criticize him at every opportunity,
Bainimarama has more important things to do than responding to these two assholes
Amazing how this discussion deteriorated from one about the possible future role for the queen in Fiji to the airing of journalists dirty linen in public and insults Being hurled by a few stupid people that paints a totally wrong picture about the relationship between two very close island neighbours!
@ Tukana
So what is the ‘real’ relationship between Fiji and Samoa? Can you describe it for us please as you seem to know better. Last time I checked Tuilaepa was often abusing Frank, then Tavita, his senior media advisor, describes Fiji as filthy and that Fijians are the biggest thieves in the Pacific etc.
Check your geography too my friend. Samoa cannot be described as being ‘very close’ in physical terms. Last time I checked the atlas Tonga and even the Wallis islands (French territory) were closer to Fiji than Samoa.