The Australian Strategic Policy Institute examines the diplomatic row between Fiji and the US over Frank Bainimarama not being invited to Joe Biden's virtual climate summit. Professor Richard Herr writes: "The US does want Fiji’s support broadly on a variety of regional issues including selling its new climate change message. Yet, the Biden … [Read more...] about #ASPI ON THE FIJI-US ROW
# BIDEN BITES BACK AT BAINIMARAMA
(From Grubsheet's Facebook page): True story because I was there: Fiji's Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, says to the former US Ambassador, Judith Sefkin, at a reception at State House in Suva: "You are not a true friend of Fiji. See that guy over there? (Pointing to the Chinese ambassador). That's a true friend of Fiji". Sefkin was a US State … [Read more...] about # BIDEN BITES BACK AT BAINIMARAMA
# WHEN OPPOSITES COLLIDE IN FURIOUS AGREEMENT
Rajiv Sharma has been one of Grubsheet's most avid correspondents since we began publishing again last August and also one of my greatest critics, continually objecting to my use of the term " genuine democracy" to characterise the return to parliamentary rule under the Bainimarama government. While I have suspended writing lengthy political … [Read more...] about # WHEN OPPOSITES COLLIDE IN FURIOUS AGREEMENT
# AG GOES UNDER THE KNIFE
(From the Grubsheet Facebook page): Confirmation from high level sources in Suva that Fiji's Attorney General and effective number two in the Bainimarama government, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, has undergone a heart bypass operation in Singapore. He also received surgery to repair a hernia. While the AG had flagged in one of his nightly "budget … [Read more...] about # AG GOES UNDER THE KNIFE
# A KANGAROO COURT AND OFF I HOP
Three weeks ago, I wrote on Facebook that the resumption of Grubsheet for 2021 was being postponed out of consideration for the national effort to assist the victims of Cyclone Yasa and Cyclone Ana. I made the observation that it was not the time for politics but for supporting the authorities to get help to those who needed it most. The inspiring … [Read more...] about # A KANGAROO COURT AND OFF I HOP
# “NEXT MATCH, NEW TEAM”. RABUKA’S MASTERSTROKE
Never has the old saying “a week is a long time in politics” resonated more strongly than in Fiji over the past seven days. This time a week ago, Bill Gavoka was SODELPA leader and outlining his priorities to the regional media. Now the AG’s father-in-law and “lame duck” leader has been sautéd in the political wok, and a lot sooner than I … [Read more...] about # “NEXT MATCH, NEW TEAM”. RABUKA’S MASTERSTROKE