Fiji's deposed prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has been sentenced to a jail term of 12 months after being convicted earlier in the week on corruption charges. He was pronounced guilty on six counts of abuse of office and three counts of discharge of duty with respect to a property in which he had a private interest. The charges related to the … [Read more...] about # QARASE SENTENCE – NEWS FLASH
# FIJI’S “VITAL” PACIFIC ROLE
For all the nonsense written in Australia about Fiji, there has always been an oasis of reason and common sense at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the independent think tank set up by John Howard's government to provide fresh ideas on the country's defence and strategic policy options. ASPI has again fulfilled its brief with an article … [Read more...] about # FIJI’S “VITAL” PACIFIC ROLE
# RACE RELATIONS “NEVER BETTER”
The recent observation by the former vice president, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, that race relations in Fiji have never been better is an important acknowledgement of unquestionably the Bainimarama Government’s greatest achievement. This is its crusade to bridge the gulf between the races in Fiji and try to draw a line under the entrenched separateness … [Read more...] about # RACE RELATIONS “NEVER BETTER”
#120 QARASE JUDGMENT -NEWS FLASH
The High Court judge presiding over the corruption trial of deposed prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has confirmed the guilty verdict delivered yesterday by the assessors. Justice Priyantha Fernando endorsed Qarase's guilt on all nine counts. He set down a mitigation hearing tomorrow, where Qarase's lawyer, Tupou Draunidalo, is expected to plead … [Read more...] about #120 QARASE JUDGMENT -NEWS FLASH
#119 AUSTRALIA’S HUMILIATING BACKDOWN
So it has finally come. Oceania’s greatest power –Australia- has finally bowed to the inevitable. That five and- a-half-years of trying to destroy the Bainimarama Government in Fiji has failed. That one of its island satellites has thumbed its nose at its big neighbour and determined its own course in the world. That for all its economic and … [Read more...] about #119 AUSTRALIA’S HUMILIATING BACKDOWN
#118 AUSTRALIA REPAIRS TIES WITH FIJI
In another major development this afternoon, Fiji and Australia have agreed to the full restoration of diplomatic ties for the first time since 2009. The two countries will exchange high commissioners, in a move which the Sydney Morning Herald describes as "a signal of faith that the troubled Pacific island nation is back on the path to democracy". … [Read more...] about #118 AUSTRALIA REPAIRS TIES WITH FIJI