More Insights on the Leaked Constitution

Among the many comments on the draft constitution saga, three posted on the only "reasonable" anti-Government blog, Fiji  Today, provide interesting insights.

The Offensive DVD

Example of an offensive cartoon

First is the posting on Fiji Today by publisher "Peter Firkins" who says he will not be publishing anything on an "offensive DVD" that purports to explain the draft in Fijian and Hindi because the summary is accompanied by offensive illustrations likening Col Tikoitoga to Hitler, human rights to beating Jews, and amnesty to a firing squad.

The speedy production  of a DVD suggests a well organized opposition that could also have received early information on the draft, as I suggested yesterday in writing about the possibly flawed neutrality of the Commission staff and Mahendra Chaudhy's likely early access to draft material.

The Constitution Assembly will receive the draft constitution and an "Explanatory Report"  prepared by the Commission. One can see no useful purpose served by additional "explanatory" information in the form of a clearly biased DVD. It seems likely that the actions of Chaudhry and the producers of the DVD  are intended to preempt and influence the work of the Constitution Assembly

The 'draft' is still 'burning'
Given Fiji Today's applaudable announcement on the DVD's, I found it surprising that the blog  published a rant by exiled Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba's Council for a Democratic Fiji headed "Khaiyum orders burning of the draft constitution: Australian and New Zealand must withdraw their support for this dictatorship".   The blog usually publishes material written by others, adding only one-liner headings that point to its view on the article.  In this case, they repeated the false claim that it was the
draft that was burnt and its burning was ordered by the Attorney-General.

Wadan's analysis
They also published a lengthy analysis of the draft analysis and  the Explanatory Report written by "special guest contributor" Wadan Narsey. It opens poorly with Wadan confusing the decree for the draft but on the whole, it is a fair and reasonable analysis  from someone of Wadan's political persuasion.

I think he is overly optimistic about the likely behaviour of government opponents during the proposed transition arrangements. And, while Government may accept the proposed Transition Advisory Council, I doubt it will unreservedly accept a caretaker cabinet.  Some modifications must be accepted in the Constituent Assembly if their decisions are even to approximate a consensus. Radio Australia has also published an account of  Wadan's views.  I shall publish  and my account on the Constitution Assembly and the proposed transition arrangements soon.

Peni hopes PM will approve
Two other items of related news are the statement on Fiji radio by former Commissioner  Peni Moore that the consultations had shown how deeply divided, and mislead,  Fiji is, with both iTaukei and Indo-Fijians seeing themselves as "victims."

"As for submissions for a Christian State, only four percent of all submissions supported this. 'Really what they wanted were for people to be well behaved and good, and transparent and honest leaders, others were just told to say Christian State and they did but when we asked them what they meant, they didn’t know what they were saying.'

Yet at the time, the media gave the impression that most iTaukei  wanted a Christian state, even the Methodist Church and the SDL.

Peni believes the Commission has done the best it could. “I really and truly hope that both the Prime Minister and all his people including the Attorney General will read the constitution and the report and realize that we’ve given them the best document they could ever have.”

300 apply for Assembly membership
Finally, some 300 applications to serve on the Assembly have been received by the PM's  Office. Permanent secretary Colonel Pio Tikoduadua said applications were received from individuals, religious organisations, political parties, non-government organisations and civil societies. He  reiterated that membership would constitute a fair representation of society. Fiji Sun reports that FLP, SDL and UPP parties have applied for membership.

"The Assembly is also required to observe the purpose of the decree, which includes adherence to its non-negotiable principles and values such as the removal of ethnic voting, a common and equal citizenry and a secular state. To be eligible for membership of the Assembly, a person must be a citizen of Fiji, be a person of experience in public affairs and must have utmost honesty and integrity in every respect.

"The Constituent Assembly will hold its first meeting on the second week of January and its work is to be completed at the latest by the end of the third week of March." -- Fiji Live.

Notice Allen Lockington's column will be published a little later today, Saturday, probably in the late afternoon.