FIJI Falls Behind

Imagine this.

 

Solomon Islands which has been through years of civil war and it took the Australians under RAMSI to bring peace to the Island is ahead of Fiji in economic growth.

 

Don't believe it.

 

You better.

 

According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in its annual publication, Fiji's economic growth was the lowest of all Pacific island countries in 2007.

Fiji's 2007 growth statistics were measured at minus 3.9 per cent.

 

Minus 3.9 %. That's right. So what does that mean?

 

Well. Fiji's economy shrank by 3.9% in 2007.

 

Even Papua New Guinea which has a hard time paying its civil servants managed a higher growth than our beloved Fiji.

 

So much for the Wizadry of the Finance Minister.

 

Wasnt MPC appointed Finance Minister because he "understood Fiji's problems better then anyone and would be the best man to find solutions"?

 

What happened?

 

Add to that the fact that the latest inflation figures stood at 7.3%. Thats right. Even this figure is grossly understated. Fijis inflation is certainly in the double figures.

 

Isa!

Who is Lying? QARASE or HOWARD?

Howard refuses Fijian request for military intervention

Mr Howard has condemned the action as a tragic setback for democracy in Fiji.

ABC Online/ Pacnews Tue, 5 Dec 2006 Prime Minister John Howard says he has turned down a request for military intervention from Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Mr Howard has confirmed a coup is under way in the Pacific nation, with the President joining military leader Frank Bainimarama in a move against the Government. Mr Howard has condemned the action as a tragic setback for democracy in Fiji. Australia will cut defence ties with Fiji if the Government is removed from power, but Mr Howard says that will not mean sending troops. "We discussed this at some length at the national security committee of Cabinet a short while ago," he said. "We took the view then and have remained steadfast in the view that it is not appropriate for military intervention. "In reality, if military action were taken now we'd be, in effect, invading the country and we have absolutely no intention of doing that."

BRAVO BUADROMO

Virisila Buadromo was awarded the the United States Government's most prestigious awards for courage the Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award for 2008.

ACTIVIST Virisila Buadromo was the only recipient of the award from the East Asia and Pacific region.

Virisila received the award at a lavish ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC yesterday from no other than US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a special ceremony .

Later in the day, Ms Buadromo was saluted in a White House ceremony, hosted by President George Bush, in honour of International Women's Day.

The award notes that Ms Buadromo had continued to advocate for gender equality, legal and political reform, and democracy despite the challenges and threats resulting from Fiji's 2006 military coup.

The Unites States uses awards such as these to demonstrate its foreign policy position on troubled spots across the globe. This comes on the heels of the public statements by US Embassy personnel condemning the deportation of Russel Hunter.

Bravo Virisila Buadromo.

Calls for Accountability Grows Louder

The chorus around the nation only gets louder.

 

The controvesy over the millions lying in overseas accounts in the name of MPC has only grown over the last week.

 

MPC is now saying he will sue the Fiji Time for a BILLION dollars. Yeah right.

 

The CLEAN UP campaign must now demonstrate to the people fo Fiji that it is true to its original intention.

 

Corruption must be eliminated.

 

And the place to start is with MPC.

 

Time for MPC  to step aside while an independent investigation is undertaken into the affairs of MPC. There are well qualified and experienced people who can do the job better than him. Filipe Bole has served the nation all his life. Sitiveni Rabuka's experience is invaluable. Poseci Bune is a true son of the soil who will never betray his mother land.

 

Where did the money come from?

 

What was it for?

 

How much more is there in other countries?

 

How much was given as cash ?

 

How much did Rajend Chaudhry get out when he came back ?

 

MPC must answer these questions. The people demand answers.

 

And the harrasment fo those who seek justice and truth must stop. The Fiji Concerned Young Peoples Network are only asking the questions that all Fijians want answers for. The harrasment of its leaders like Peter Waqavonovono and Imraaz Iqbal must stop. They have not broken any laws.