When We Open Pandora’s Box
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:28 pm

Three High Court judges have decided that the acts of the President after the December 2006 military coup, were lawful; that the President had reserve powers to ratify the acts of the military in the
takeover; to grant immunity to those who did the coup; and that he could more...

Tropical Depression In Viti Levu
Posted by Daulako
Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:25 pm

Yesterday afternoon after reading the news that there is a tropical depression moving towards Fiji from Vanuatu, I went home early to get ready for this. Bought candles and other basic stuff from the
shop, stored water, checked that all the shutters are working fine and also did cut down more...

When Security Guards Rob The Bank (and The Surveillance Report Goes To The Robbers)
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:29 pm

The Interim Government currently, by force, takes roughly thirty percent of the people’s income or about $1,500 millions per year and decides how to spend it. The authority to tax the people by
law, and to spend that revenue, is one of the most sacred responsibilities of an elected parliament. more...

Grim Truth Behind Growth Rates
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:27 pm

How easily is the public lulled by talk of “positive growth rates” of the economy. How we are now recovering with positive growth rate of 1.4% for 2008, and perhaps 1.9% for 2009. But neither
the coup nor the charter supporters nor the public dwell on what these growth rates really mean more...

Not Charter, Not Electoral Reform, But The Law
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:26 pm

As a nation, we are now horribly diverted into debating what is in the Charter, electoral reforms before elections, or what may be the economic growth rates this year and the next. But the real
issue is: why have the Charter supporters developed collective amnesia about the treasonous over-throw more...

Costly Coups: No Catching Up
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:24 pm

Every group that has instigated a military coup in Fiji, has stated that they will return the economy to healthy growth. And yes, in the last year, there have been a few positive developments.
Duties have been reduced on a few essential items, helping everyone, including the poor. The more...

Poverty And Affirmative Action: Facts, Not Prejudices
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:19 pm

Who are the poorest in the country? Who are the largest groups of poor? How much “affirmative action” resources should government give to each group to close the “poverty gap?” In Fiji, these are
politically charged questions that are asked all the time. And politicians love more...

The Gcc Suspension: Not A Winding-up-order, But A “wake-up Call”
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:20 pm

[The Fiji Times, 28 July] One should not examine challenges to Fijian leadership in isolation. Fijian leadership has evolved in a historical context from colonial times to the present. And the
numerous crises over the last twenty years all point to a failure of leadership by all political forces in Fiji: more...

The Financial Liability Of Tunnel Visions
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:21 pm

Continually repeating moral arguments, some political parties, religious organisations and normally law-abiding citizens may be leading Fiji’s tax-payers, down a financial nightmare. In December
2006, the military removed a democratically elected government, claiming vote-rigging, ethnic bias, and corruption. The Fiji Labour Party, the totally unsuccessful National Alliance Party, and some
individuals, joined more...

Into Uncharted Waters
Posted by Dr Wadan Narsey
Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:22 pm

The Military Junta is in the process of creating a People’s Charter for Fiji. The Charter’s objectives (ending racism and corruption and ensuring good governance) are praiseworthy. And the
Charter has the support of eminent persons like Archbishop Mataca. But the eminent persons forget the hard lesson of the 2000 crisis that more...