Fiji - the past forgotten

FIJI has finally put the 1987 coups behind it. That is the conclusion which has been drawn across the political spectrum in Australia after Fiji’s first post-coup election in May.

Considering the Australian govern ment's loud and long condemnation, not only of the racially inspired coups but of the post-coup constitution, the warmth with which former coup leader Major- General Sitiveni Rabuka has been wel comed as Prime Minister could come as

a surprise.

But a lot of things have changed.

Prime Minister Rabuka is emphasis ing his new moderate, consultative approach which values “consensus sol utions” to Fiji's problems.

Like* others in his party, the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulcwa ni Taukei (SVT), Gen eral Rabuka has promised changes to the constitution.

W hile the new Prime Minister says there will be no going back on his

promises to safeguard (he heritage of indigenous Fijians he also told me in interview in Suva shortly after his appointment that he would be prepared to consider an amendment to re introduce cross-vo ting. 1 hat would be a major step. It would mean at least a partial breakdow n of the post-coup v oting system which rigidly divides the races and has encouraged communal thinking.

But the biggest change in General Rabuka since 1987 has been in his attitude to the Fiji Labour Party one of the main victims of his coups.

The Labour Party won 13 of the 27 seats allocated to Fiji Indians. In return for Labour support for his bid for the* prime ministership General Rabuka promised to review the* consti tution and land tenure arrangements for Indian cane farmers, to scrap the* Value Added fax and revoke controversial labour decrees.

While that deaf with Labour may well turn out to be* the source of many of Prime Minister Rabuka’s problems it cuts across the* policy of both his own party and his main coalition partner, the General Voters Party it is also a crucial source

of his strength.

I he Labour deal not only gives the new Prime Minister c i edibility on the racial cjuestion, but by opening the door to a more consensual style* of politic s, has the potential to break down that confrontational industrial relations climate which leveloped under the interim government.

It s a step which has won instant recognition in Australia.

Australia's Prime Minister. Paul Keating, sent warm ongratulations to General Rabuka adding that a significant ispeci was that his appointment had been supported bv the Fiji

Labour Party.

Keating said he particularly welcomed Prime Minister Rabuka s "statement (fiat he* lias agreed to consider a review )f the constitution and was encouraged by his commitment o develop an environment for dialogue, compromise and igreement.

Among Australian business leaders, too, General Rabuka’s appointment has been greeted with optimism Australia is by far the biggest investor in Fiji with total iivestment conservatively estimated at S7OO million and

Australia

growing. Despite the hesitancy of many

Australian investors to put their money into Fiji before the outcome of the election was known, the fact that the former coup leader was elected Prime Minister has not concerned them.

One 7 large investor I spoke with summed it up for many when he said “thank goodness Fiji has finally got a democratically elected government”.

For Australian business it has been the election itself which has been by far the biggest hurdle.

Ihe two points in Prime Minister Rabuka’s agreement with Labour which have most frightened Fiji busi ness, the promise to scrap the Value Added lax and revoke the labour decrees, have had little impact in Australia.

In the post-election euphoria the same big investor confided that many of his colleagues had “thought the Labour Decrees too draconian”.

Ev en the VAT, which has become a sacred cow among many sections of business in Fiji (mainly because reductions in import duty predicated on the \ A I have already been made), was described by one Australian business leader as “not a life and death issue”.

Ihe untried nature of this new government may mean investors take slightly longer to feel satisfied about its stability but there is already a sense of optimism about the future.

I hat optimism is based not only on the new Prime Minister’s insistence on his new more mature and measured approach to government but on the talent and track record of his new cabinet.

Prime Minister Keating praised General Rabuka’s cabinet as “experienced and moderate”.

He we nt on to tell Parliament that Fiji was an “important partner of Australia in the South Pacific and we do look forward to developing a constructive and positive relationship with them and of course wish their new government well in its delibe rations in managing the- affairs and prospects of the Fijian

pe'ople”.

While those who have ke pt up with Fiji politics, have backed away from their past reservations and feel comfortable about the ne w government despite some' remaining differences, the same cannot necessarily be* said about the vast bulk of Australians, many of whom might eventually visit Fiji as tourists.

With few* Australian journalists allowed into Fiji over the past four years and little reporting of the changing political climate, many ordinary Australians stiff carry around the images of the coups in their heads. for the* fiji tourist industry which has been suffering a major slump General Rabuka’s agreement with Labour may have an

unexpected spin-off.

Not since* the death of former Prime Minister, Timoci Bavadra, has Fiji made such a splash in the newspaper headlines nor touched the* emotions of ordinary folk.

I he new talk of consensus may just get the message across that fiji is still the safe and delightful place for a holiday it has always been. □

Jemima

Garrett