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\title{}
\author{Paul Norman}
\date{2009-05-01T13:41:02.04}
\begin{document}
{\raggedleft\sffamily
For Immediate Release
\par}

{\raggedleft\sffamily
May 1\textsuperscript{st} 2009, 14-00hrs N.Z.S.T. (GMT +12)
\par}


\bigskip

\section{Oversimplifying the Fiji Situation Seriously
Counter-Productive}

\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}The current enormous pressure from western
democracies for a return \ to a democratically elected government in
Fiji, is actually sending unexpected mixed messages. And the current
Western agenda is potentially taking a dangerous turn that could fuel
unnecessary serious \ suffering.{\textquotedblright}


\bigskip

\ \ \textsf{Mr. Paul Norman and Mr. Michael Fa{\textquotesingle}amoana
Vala{\textquotesingle}auafea said in a joint statement released
in\newline
\ \ Auckland \ New Zealand today.}


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}To insist on immediate elections while acting in
ignorance of what went down, \ makes Western democracies sound like
they are supporting a corrupt election process -- which is not at all
\ what they want to mean.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}The politically based decision of a previous New
Zealand Government \ to withhold entry visas for medical treatment of
ordinary Fijian citizens \ has already cost unnecessary suffering and
\ loss of life. \ Western democracies need to show the benefits of
democracy by mercifully continuing to do things that help the average
Fijian in health, employment and housing---traditional economic support
from western governments needs to be fine tuned, but not withheld. \ 


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}As unacceptable as the current developments in Fiji
are to many people, the situation can not be resolved with out a
capable and thorough addressing of the real build up and causes of it.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}At the grass roots level most Fijians know that their
last so-called {\textquotesingle}democratic election{\textquotesingle}
was not clean.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}International Parliamentary Observers of that
election appear \ unaware of the clever and \ often subtle widespread
electoral fraud and voter disfranchisement that took place.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}International Observers saw the outward appearance of
a fair election taking place especially in areas where the Observers
were likely to be, but out of their sight, Polling Clerks were
physically threatened and intimidated, whole bundles of votes in booths
in districts favourable to the opposition were forcibly destroyed, and
clever rigging of the Electoral Roll made it physically impossible for
a multitude of people in opposition strongholds and marginal areas to
vote.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}There were strong inter-racial and inter-tribal
overtones in the way this was executed.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}While these matters were reported in the local
national media at the time, \ International Parliamentary Observers
either did not {\textquotedblleft}hear{\textquotedblright} or were
already out of Fiji. 


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}Locals joke that the overseas contingent must have
observed a {\textquotedblleft}fair election{\textquotedblright} from
the comfort of their resort hotel rooms!


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}Required to turn up at their registered polling
booths, a very large number of people in opposition areas found
inexplicitly on Election Day that they were suddenly \ required to vote
at a Polling Booth in an area too far away for them to get to on time.
\ There being no allowable Special Vote in those circumstances, they
were physically stopped from voting.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}There is absolutely \ no doubt in many
locals{\textquotesingle} minds that this was planed and calculated.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}To be handled in the Pacific Way, and without any
sense of condoning the present circumstances, Fiji needs to be assisted
in every way possible to replace the corrupt officials who were
compliant in the last staged elections. And building upon the valuable
work of the past--- replace the current electoral system and
apportionments with an even better plan. \ 

\subsection{Democratic Elections in Fiji can not be democratic if the
last fiasco is not sorted first.}
{\textquotedblleft}For now, without the necessary changes being made,
{\textquotedblleft}free and fair elections{\textquotedblright} in Fiji
are an impossibility.

{\textquotedblleft}The calls by western democracies for immediate free
and fair elections are seen as hollow and counter productive unless
western democracies practically show \textbf{mercy} to the common
\ people of Fiji, and positively and creatively assist in setting the
environment for genuine free and fair elections.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}Continued strong arm sanctions are counter productive
against the background of what has happened, and might only lead to
civil unrest and disorder---which some Western government advisers
appear to be wrongly advocating as a working strategy to their
Ministers. 


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}Instead the West and others need to be constructively
helping those running Fiji get to the desired goal; and avoiding the
dangerous descent into chaos that further insurrection would bring --
must be paramount in international thinking.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}Compared to what might happen in other parts of the
world, the people in charge in Fiji have shown considerable restraint
to date, and this should be recognised and rewarded, and not
exasperated by strong armed tactics against Fiji.

Fiji citizens and others can ill afford \ loosing the restraint that is
being shown by the current leadership, it would be tragic if Western
pressure brought about a dangerous {\textquotedblleft}sea
change{\textquotedblright} or personal change there, through
overpowered blunt sanctions or other actions.

As unpalatable as it is, the current possibilities may be the most
stable thing on the table for the next twenty years and the opening for
progress being made now emphatically \ must not be lost.

{\textquotedblleft}Equally, given the actual genesis of what \ happened
in Fiji, previous calls from certain Western leaders for the Fijian
people to riot in the streets, are dangerously unhealthy.

Such calls highlight how out of touch with what actually happened on the
ground, certain previous \ Government advice has been in the West.


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}To insist on immediate elections in Fiji, while
acting in ignorance of what went down, \ wrongly makes Western
democracies sound like they are supporting an unfair and corrupt
election process -- which is not at all \ what should be happening.


\bigskip

\ \ \textsf{Finished Mr. Paul Norman and Mr. Michael
Fa{\textquotesingle}amoana Vala{\textquotesingle}auafea,}


\bigskip

{\textquotedblleft}There is a more peaceful and socially safe way
forward, and it really should be followed.{\textquotedblright}


\bigskip

\begin{multicols}{2}
Paul A Norman

Michael Fa{\textquotesingle}amoana Vala{\textquotesingle}auafea 

Christian Missionaries


\bigskip

P.O Box 1005

Nelson, NZ


\bigskip

P.O Box 19 208

Avondale, Auckland, NZ

\href{mailto:paul@paulanorman.com}{http://PaulANorman.com}

\href{mailto:paul@paulanorman.com}{paul@paulanorman.com}

skype://PaulANorman


\bigskip

Ph: \ 021 782 433

Fax 021 291 2433


\bigskip

Ph: +64 21 782 433

Fax: +64 21 291 2433
\end{multicols}
\end{document}
