There is indeed much ‘real work’ on hand to do in the region and the problems with the current Fiji regime ensure that it will be much harder than it really should be for the region and nation’s outside the region to make a constructive input when the status of the current regime in Fiji is the minds of everyone at the ministerial and official level.

There is unfortunately no fence sitting when it comes to Fiji. The regime is either has to be on the ‘out’ or has to be allowed back ‘in’ to be a participant. The Commodore is an astute observer of the international confusion at the moment and is making the best of the opportunity. The previous few weeks have seen him undertake a whole range of soft interviews to push his message that his role is to clean up Fiji and give the country the new start that it requires.

This makes only sense to those that take the Commodore promises at face value but after nearly 3 years the ‘power and fruits’ of office only get more attractive to hold onto. The upcoming appointment of a new President should again display that it is more of the same approach as in previous coups – jobs and gifts for friends and the full weight of the military and police for their enemies.

It is wrong and simplistic if anyone expects the current situation in Fiji to somehow miraculously change because there is a People’s Charter, or a new constitution or even a new set of military approved leaders. While not supporting any violent change for Fiji, the answer does remain with the people and their choice of a future must be made without the military breathing down their necks. Democracy is imperfect but dictatorship can only end in more corruption and fewer economic opportunities for Fiji.

Although friends of the current regime like to draw our attention to successful periods of ‘guided’ democracy in Asia and Africa, the signs of failure are too many and the nature of the current changes by the regime are out of context for the approach that Pacific Islanders have traditional taken.

The region needs to get to work on a response to the GFC, climate change and important trade issues and this requires a firm approach to Fiji. The importance of Fiji as a regional economic and trade hub requires more pressure on the current regime and not less. The flip-flopping of apologist can only assist those that seek to remain illegally in power. While it is unfortunate, the measures against Fiji should increase and this will result in additional pain for the people –however – until the military is removed from politics and becomes an active part of the process of law and order there will not be any real change when it is attempted by issuing a new policy or establishing a new body.