Composer and singer Aisake Tabuya (left), with Navitalai Waqa and wife Paini at the Capricorn Hotel in Suva yesterday. Photo: JUSTINE MANNAN

By WATI TALEBULA

He was the manager of the Southern Swingers in 1985 and then joined Southern Gospel for four years.
He later joined the Christian Mission Fellowship (CMF) before forming his own group.
Now, composer and singer, Aisake Tabuya, launched one of his 12 songs yesterday from an album that will be launched next April.
The new group is known as The Tiliva Boys, as they are all from Tiliva, Nakasaleka, in Kadavu.
The song reflects on the hardship Navitalai Waqa faced when he went to New Zealand at the age of 20 and how he worked his way up to be a supervisor at an ice plant in Auckland.
Mr Tabuya and Mr Waqa come from the same village.
The former CMF guitarist said last Christmas Mr Waqa was in Fiji and had told Mr Tabuya stories of his past life, which Mr Tabuya decided to make a song out of it.
He said the reason behind the launch of this particular song was because Mr Waqa was spending time here.
“There are 12 songs in the album and it will be launched in 2014 as we are still recording, but one song is launched today (Friday) because the song is about someone who is here now,” he said.
Mr Waqa said he was fortunate to be at the launch because it meant a lot to him.
“I can’t believe it but I am glad that I can hear the song about me when I am still alive,” he said.
Mr Waqa said when he went to New Zealand he couldn’t speak English.
He knew only two English words  – yes and no.
Mr Tabuya hopes that the song, which was to be aired on Viti FM yesterday, and Bula FM on Monday, will be a hit.

A Fijian soldier rappelling in the Golan Heights. Photo: RFMF MEDIA CELL.

By MAIKA BOLATIKI

Fijian code names have been used at the Golan Heights where the Fiji Battalion is based.
Entering the second month of its work in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mission, the FijiBatt was directed to occupy Position 32A, a location that was left vacant when the Croatians withdrew.
The Croations had served almost four years of loyal service to the UNDOF Mission.
The UNDOF Journal at the Golan had confirmed of the use of Fijian code names and Davetatabu has been used as code name for Position 32A.
According to the UNDOF Journal ‘Davetabu’ is known as the opening passage to the island of Totoya in the Lau Group. Its name speaks for itself as the ‘sacred passage.’ Legend says that when passing through the passage there must be reverence to ensure a safe fare through.
If not observed with reverence, three large waves follow suit as a sign of the spirits anger, known to the people of Totoya as the custodians of the passage, which may even capsize ships. It is also known as the final resting place of one of their great chiefs thus making it sacred.
Posn 32A is codenamed Davetatabu where Fiji Batt chaplain, Major Osea Bera Puamau, hails from in Fiji. As one of the dangerous sea passages in Fiji one may say it is no different to Posn 32A as it is one of the most perilous outposts in the UNDOF mission because of its location. It is located at UTM 688-782 South of Teresa Hill where a SAAF unit is stationed.
Thus there is a very high chance of Posn 32A being the recipient of counter- attacks from anti-Syrian armed elements.
Posn 27 is called Wainunu and Posn 62, at the request of members of the battalion from the Yasawas, Ba, Nadi and Nadroga, has been named Rogorogoivuda.
Force Commander MFO
visits Fijibatt
The Force Commander MFO, Major- General  Warren Whiting, of New Zealand, visited UNDOF in November and was hosted by the Deputy Force Commander (DFC)  UNDOF, Brigadier-General Hari B Basnet at Camp Ziouani.
He received a brief on UNDOF Operations by the COO, Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio Lastimado at Camp Ziouani, and then travelled to Mt Bental where he received a panoramic brief on FijiBatt operations by Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho.
Major-General Whiting expressed his gratitude to the DFC, the COO and the CO Fijibatt on the very informative briefs.

By MAIKA BOLATIKI

Fijians in the British Army are now preparing to leave Afghanistan as the handover to Afghan forces continues.
Nine Fijian British Army soldiers had died in Afghanistan.
As of today 444 males and three females had died in Afghanistan.
Now the AAP has reported that the British troops had just celebrated their final Christmas in Afghanistan as they will pull out next year as scheduled.
The report said that UK troop levels, and casualties, increased sharply in 2006 when NATO took over leadership of operations in the south – with most British forces based in Helmand where Taliban influence was strong.
It adds that the overwhelming majority of casualties are soldiers from the lower ranks, killed while out on foot patrol. Women work on the front line, but not in close-combat roles such as infantry, commando or tank units.
The AAP report said that the UK’s military role in Afghanistan since 2001 had not been without its human toll. Members of the Army, RAF, Royal Marines and special forces have lost their lives in the fight against the Taliban.

Those who had lost their lives while on duty in the war town nation are:
n Guardsman 28-year-old Apete Tuisovurua of the 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards, Army; He died in 2012.
n Private 32-year-old Ratu Silibaravi of the Royal Logistic Corps, 23 Pioneer Regiment, Army. He died in 2012.
n Private 24 –year-old Joseva Vatubua of the Unit Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Army died in 2011.
n Corporal 32-year-old Taniela Rogoiruwai of the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Army. He died in 2010.
n Kingsman 29-year-old Ponipate Tagitaginimoce of the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Army. He died in 2010.
n Fusilier 28-year-old Petero Suesue of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, Army. He died in 2009.
n Rifleman 26-year-old Aminiasi Toge of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, Army. He died 2009.
n Trooper 29- year-old Ratu Babakobau of the Household Cavalry Regiment, Army. He died in 2008.
n Ranger 27- year-old Anare Draiva of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, Army. He died in 2006.

Professor Richard Herr.

By ROSI DOVIVERATA

The open list electoral system can prove to be the right tool for the right job for next year’s elections.
At least that’s the view of the Director of the Centre for International and Regional Affairs at the University of Fiji, Professor Richard Herr.
However, he said it would require some solid preparation both with candidates and with voters to ensure each fully understood how the new system would meet the needs and desires that they had in creating a workable parliament.
Professor Herr made the statement in his presentation earlier this month during the Attorney-General’s Conference.
“Acceptance by the electors is vital.  They will need to have reasonable certainty on how to record a meaningful vote – both for the candidate and the party of their choice – to feel the system is legitimate,” he said.
“Yet, candidates and parties may be more critical to acceptance of the new electoral system given their responsibility for ethical and legal compliance in making it work as well as their rights to challenge any abuse they might perceive in its operation.”
Professor Herr noted that the linkage between the electoral system and the Parliament still had some question marks that could prove to be issues once the Parliament was up and running.
“Nonetheless, early recognition and adequate preparation may forestall these concerns especially with regard to the role of parties and the privileges of parliament.
“The next nine months or so will be challenging but not beyond the capacity of Fiji to meet.
“The electoral tools for the return to parliamentary democracy have been selected; it is now time to get to work preparing to use them,” he said.

No Perfect system
From the outset, Professor Herr said there was no such thing as an “unbiased” or “perfect” electoral system.
“All election systems are created to achieve certain aims and their usefulness depends on the suitability of these.
“Thus, any electoral system is just a tool in the democratic toolbox – a country must select the right tool for the right job.
“Any system might be the ‘right’ one and equally, any system could be ‘wrong’.”
He said it all depended on the job that the electoral system was intended to do.
No democratic electoral system has only one “job” or one objective however simple that system might be, he said.
“Moreover, whatever the aims, not all can be achieved equally by any one system.
“Indeed, not all objectives of an election will be equally achievable through, or mutually compatible within, any one system.”
Professor Herr said choices had to be made and priorities established within whatever system was used.

To Address past deficits
According to Professor Herr, the open list system to be used in next year’s elections was chosen both to address past democratic deficits as well as to promote the inclusive objectives of the People’s Charter.
“Legitimacy means that the people (voters and candidates alike) accept the electoral system and its outcomes as valid – in general if not in the specific.
“Legitimacy may be an issue in 2014 for any number of reasons – both real or confected.”

Candidate
As a candidate, a likely concern would be any uncertainty in knowing how to mobilise the vote for you, Professor Herr said.
“This is actually a two-way street – you need to know how to capture your share of the vote and your voters will need to know how to cast a meaningful ballot for you.

Untried
“The new electoral system is unfamiliar and untried so candidates and voters alike will need more than the usual “education” to understand how to work it.
“Any confusion by either side – candidate or voter – will  provoke questions as to the validity of the outcome.   Fiji would not want a repeat of the voter confusion in Florida during the 2000 US Presidential elections.”
Professor Herr said the legitimacy of the new parliament would depend heavily on public and candidate “comfort” with the electoral system as they approach the polling booth.
“Will both know how to work it and how it will work for them?
“Secondly, it is a democratic axiom that all public power must be publicly accountable.”
He said proportional representation electoral systems made a major trade-off with this electoral objective.
“Individual MP accountability is difficult under any proportional representation (PR) electoral system and therefore it is the political party that becomes the vehicle for accountability.”

Accountability
Professor Herr said the open list system that Fiji would use next year does provide for more constituency accountability than a closed list system – but it was still more remote than, for example, any single member constituency system.
“The Constitution goes to some lengths to entrench party accountability with its anti party-hopping provisions.
“There are democratic tenets that support this approach but I do have concerns from a parliamentary perspective, nonetheless.”

Concerns
Provisions such as 63(1)(h) which give a party control over how you as an MP “votes or abstains from voting in Parliament” raise genuine issues of parliamentary privilege especially where this may go to external direction of a Member, Professor Herr said.
“Further, any litigation on the use of these provisions would almost certainly involve the courts adjudicating proceedings of Parliament – again raising privilege issues.
“Concern over the anti party-hopping provisions may also go to your role in holding the Government to account since it strengthens the governing party’s leadership over the MPs sitting on the backbench.”
He said if the party leadership could expel Members for using their parliamentary vote to disagree with leadership, this influence would be diminished, if not, fatally compromised.

Diversity
“Mirroring diversity of political opinion in society fairly is a key strength of any PR and this is true of the open list system to be used next year,” he said.
“However, as John Stuart Mill pointed out this strength tends to make Parliament more a representative rather than governing institution – this is to say, better at expressing the mind of the nation than having a hand on the tiller of the ship of state.”
In this sense Professor Herr said PR elections sought to achieve a representative assembly more than to serve as a clear referendum on the Government.
“In practice, the parliamentary diversity that PR promotes tends to blunt the parliamentary force of any electoral mandate for Government.”

Intra-party
“One of the untested consequences of the new electoral system is the degree to which it will foster intra-party competition.”
In PR electoral systems where winners are chosen by the electorate rather than the party machinery as with the closed list system, competition within a party can be fiercer than between or amongst the rival parties.
“The open list PR system helps to ensure fairness amongst parties but not necessarily within them.
“Given the Constitution’s limits on intra-party dissent in the parliament, any serious factional disputes within a party could end up in the court for resolution,” he said.

Fijians can save up to 10 per cent on their municipal rates in 2014 by paying the full amount early.
For the first time, the cuts apply uniformly to all municipalities throughout Fiji.
To take advantage of the full 10 per cent discount, the rates, including any arrears, must be paid by January 31, 2014. Those who file by February 28, 2014 will receive a five per cent discount.
“This initiative puts money back in the pockets of ratepayers who can pay early, benefiting those Fijian families, regardless of where they live. The savings are consistent in every municipality in the country,” Attorney-General and Acting Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and the Environment, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“We encourage ratepayers to pay early in order to reap the full benefit.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also noted that just as the discount puts money back into the hands of Fijians; it also boosts Fijian businesses as the extra money is pumped back into the economy through consumer spending.  In 2014, municipalities plan to focus spending on providing Fijians essential local services.
-MINFO NEWS

Khin Maung Cho, principal engineer river engineering of the Ministry of Agriculture explains the seawall project to Bau Island chief, Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau (third from left), and the Commissioner Central, Lieutenant-Colonel Laisenia Tuitubou (second from left), on Bau yesterday. Photo: RONALD KUMAR.

By FARISHA AHMED

Bau Island, a symbol of chiefly respect and authority in Fiji, is slowly feeling the effects of climate change and global warming.
A site inspection of the seawall structure was made yesterday by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management officials and engineers.
The sum of $700,000 has been injected by the ministry for the first phase of the construction of seawall and an additional $400,000 will be allocated for the completion of the project.
Bau chief Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau said the island was thankful for the ministry’s assistance to construct a new seawall.
Bau Island, which consists of three villages and a school, with over 200 households, is badly in need of a new seawall to help prevent the erosion of its foreshore.
“We can feel the effects of global warming and climate change,” Ratu Epenisa said.
“This has been in the form of rising sea levels which leads to receding shore lines which is threatening the homes on the island.
“The seawall, which was rebuilt in 1982 during Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the island, has started to break away because of strong storm surges over the years.
“We are thankful to the Government for the new seawall; hopefully now we might not need to relocate,” he said.
The principal engineer, River Engineering under the Ministry of Primary Industries Lands and Water Resource Management section Khin Maung Cho said the project had been contracted for 150 days.
“We have come for inspection today but the actual plan for the work has already started,” Mr Cho said.
“The first stage of work is to cover 500 metres of the island then the second stage would be to make the wall two metres in height.
“There are also talks about dredging which we will be looking at to deepen the sea and we can assure that this new seawall can last up to 15 years.”
The Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Filipe Alifereti said almost $2million has been allocated for seawall and relocation projects.
“Government is looking at addressing coastal inundation, which is evident on the island of Bau and we are working towards protecting this coastline here on the island,” Mr Alifereti said.
“There are similar projects which we are looking at in coastal areas and islands,” Mr Alifereti said.
Other Government officials including the Commissioner Central, Lieutenant-Colonel Laisenia Tuitubou, were also present during the inspection of the seawall.

Sereima Berwick

By MAIKA BOLATIKI

The investigation concerning the murder of Sereima Berwick in Nabouciwa Village, Tailevu, is underway with no one being charged yet.
The investigation is currently headed by a team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Suva, led by director Criminal Investigations Senior Superintendent of Police Luke Rawalai.
Fiji Police Force chief operations officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rusiate Tudravu confirmed this to Fiji Sun yesterday.
This investigation is in line with the ruling made by Nausori Magistrate Charles Ratakele after he concluded during an inquest on the case that the death of 14-year-old Sereima Berwick in 2007 was the result of murder.
Magistrate Ratakele, in his ruling, said the evidence shown in court showed that there was foul play involved in her death and that it was a planned incident.
“The court after the inquest had ruled that Sereima was murdered and it had also ordered an investigation and we’re bound to that and we will make sure that justice prevails at last,” ACP Tudravu said.
He said they already had files of the investigation.
The Fiji Sun had visited the murder scene at Nabouciwa two weeks ago and the ladder allegedly used to take Sereima’s body up the mango tree to be hung was still there.
ACP Tudravu also cautioned the villagers of Nabouciwa not to interfere with their investigation.
Sereima’s grandfather, Ravuama Tawake, had earlier told the Fiji Sun that the suspects were still in the village and before the inquest they had blamed him for Sereima’s murder.
He said he knew the suspects were involved and he was glad Magistrate Ratakele’s ruling was in his favour.
“Why should I murder my own granddaughter,” Mr Tawake asked.
He admitted to the Fiji Sun that the village was split on the case.
ACP Tudravu said they wanted the investigation to be completed quickly but conducted properly.
The suspects would be taken to court soon after charges were laid, ACP Tudravu said.
Acting Commissioner of Police Ravi Narayan also directed that Force Inspector-General, Assistant Commissioner of Police Isikeli Vuniwaqa, investigate the conduct in which the Police handled the case and where it failed to establish if an offence was committed.

By LOSIRENE CHAND

It is that time of the year when parents and guardians are doing their best to provide their children’s school needs.
SUN News this week spotted schoolchildren and parents going about purchasing their back to school needs.
Shops were filled with children purchasing school bags, shoes, uniforms, handkerchiefs and many more.
Rajesh Kumar, of Nagigi, near Labasa, brought his three children to town to buy school stuff.
“All school things are on sale now and it will be best to buy school needs before school begins.”
“Education is very expensive, but it is my responsibility as a parent to send my children to school and my children have every right to access quality education.”
Hiralal and Sons Limited shop owner, Naunit Lal said, “This year, people are thinking about money and how to spend it and also what not to spend it on.”
He said they increased their stock of sandals and school bags and wished customers made good use of their sale.

Abhishek Ashneel (third from left) who will be in Class Six next year at Qawa Primary School trying out new shoes in Labasa Town. Photo: SITERI TALEITAKI

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

The Nadi Town Council has embarked on an ambitious project to expand the town’s boundary.
This would be the first major expansion of the Nadi Town boundary since the 1970s.
The town’s special administrator, Robin Ali, yesterday met the council’s consultant, Maraia Ubitau, to discuss the finer details of the expansion.
The council is proposing to include: Votualevu, Westfield, Navo, Narewa sub-division off Enamanu Road, Fantasy Island development, Nasoso and Naisoso Island, Legalega, Beverly Hills. Savunawai Stage 2 and Saunaka area
The plan
Every individual who will be affected by this expansion will be given a chance to voice their concerns, make suggestions and inquire about this expansion.
Mr Ali said instead of waiting for people to come to them to give suggestions or raise objections, the town council would be holding meetings in each of the areas to raise awareness.
Cane farms
Should the town council go ahead with this proposal, some sugarcane farms would also come in the town boundary.
Mr Ali said many sugarcane farms were surrounded by developing areas. The town council does not want the development to happen in a non-structured manner which would make it difficult for the council to include the farms in the future.
However, the council will put forward a proposal to the local government ministry to consider exempting farmers from paying town rates unless they undertake further developments on their farm lands.
Once the proposal goes ahead, there would also be a two- month objection period for the people.

Nadi Town Council consultant Maraia Ubitau (left), with special administrator Robin Ali, during the meeting at the Nadi council chamber yesterday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA

By RAEVENN BREEN

The Sea Princess, sailed into Fijian waters yesterday on the West Coast of the mainland where passengers then disembarked at Port Denarau Marina.
Port Denarau Marina managing director, Nigel Skeggs, said that approximately 1200 passengers were seen flocking into the marina; ferried in from Nadi Bay on smaller boats.
It was confirmed yesterday by Mr Skeggs that the marina was the first stop for the cruise ship and that its next destination was Suva.
“It brought over a huge number of tourists who were taken by smaller boats into Port Denarau Marina in order to do some shopping and sightseeing,” he said.
“It’s been great and some tourists even took to going into Nadi Town and some as far as Lautoka for visits. It’s been fantastic.”
Mr Skeggs also mentioned that today the Sun Princess will arrive in Nadi Bay and passengers will again be ferried to disembark at Port Denarau for the day.
Also following the Sun Princess in the month of January are the Pacific Dawn which is set to arrive on January 6, the Carnival Spirit on the 24th, and returning again are the Sea Princess on the 27th and the Sun Princess again on the 31st.
Twenty-four cruise ships have already been booked for Port Denarau this year, with more expected to arrive later on as well

The Sea Princess

By MAIKA BOLATIKI

The Rukua Smart Solar Power project has helped change the lifestyle of the people of Rukua on Beqa Island.
Housewife, Latileta Baisagale said the new power source had really helped them during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
She said many housewives had bought electric appliances, stoves and refrigerators to help them store food.
“We do our shopping in from Navua and some in Suva only once for both our celebrations;  unlike in previous years when we had to make two or three trips for our Christmas and New Year shopping,” Ms Baisagale said.
She said solar power would also help the children in their studies.
Ms Baisagale said while most secondary school students attended schools in Viti Levu, they had been urged by the Prime Minister to make use of the new Beqa Yanuca Secondary School.
She said most of the parents in Rukua would now send their children to the new secondary school as they now had good facilities in their homes for their children to study.
Ms Baisagale has five children with one studying at the Fiji National University at Samabula.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimara in Beqa late last year.

By WAISEA NASOKIA

Rakiraki Town will be engaging in some serious beautification this year.
The town’s interim special administrator, Ralulu Cirikiyasawa, said, “It is on the top of our list that we want to beautify the town as well. We have a nursery. We have employed part- time landscapers to come in when they are available to teach the council staff how to decorate the town.”
Mr Cirikiyasawa said the town was also looking at garbage collection.
“We would like to improve our garbage collection services. Right now we have extended the coverage of collection services within the town boundaries,” he added.
“Another concern we are looking at is how we can mitigate the flood which has always been an annual event as far as the town is concerned.”
Meanwhile the new Rakiraki market is expected to open in the first quarter of this year.
“We wanted to open it on December 19 but the Ministry of Local Government, which we fall under, decided to have the opening in 2014.”
“We will put a roof in the front with the security fencing right around.
All the vendors selling outside will now move inside, as there is a market improvement in general.”
He said the town was working closely with Government’s focus on empowering women and poverty reduction.

BY TALEBULA KATE

Sairusi Matia, 21, was yesterday sent to prison for two years and 10 months for aggravated robbery by Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili at the Suva Magistrates Court.
The court heard that on September 3, 2011 in the morning Matia and two others, outside McDonald’s Restaurant in Suva, robbed a Waisea Lagilagi of assorted items valued at $2052.52.
The state had confirmed that all items were recovered and returned to the owner.

Sairusi Matia outside the Suva Magistrates Court holding cell after he was sentenced to two year and ten months for aggravated robbery yesterday. Photo: RONALD KUMAR

By  SATENDRA NANDAN

Dr Satendra Nandan is a distinguished Fijian academic and writer.He was a member of the Bavadra cabinet in 1987 and of Fiji’s Constitution Commission, 2012. He lives in Canberra and travels frequently to his ancestral village in Nadi. He has written a series of books featuring Fiji and Fijian issues.

2013 will be remembered for many events but none more remarkable than the death, at 95, of Nelson Mandela( 1918-2013). Mandela had become a mandala in the minds of many in our contemporary world that has so many mediocre leaders leading their nations.  He stood out like a cathedral surrounded by pubs.
Many were present at his funeral– the sheepish in sheep’s clothing: Government representatives whose previous leaders had supported apartheid and its ugly survival for decades.
There’s no limit to human hypocrisy but luckily our humanity is also limitless. And a single person can change the landscape in most radical ways often for the better.

Symbol
Mandela symbolised in his personality the best in human character, compassion and a creative approach to political developments based on the philosophy of meliorism: That is, the capacity within individuals to shape and form better human and humane societies wherever they live.
To free a people from the groans of history. History may repeat itself but sadly historians do that more often.
Mandela brought to his adversaries one man’s  nobility and magnanimity : “ If you want peace with your enemy”, he said, “you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”
Thus spoke the greatest African  ever with a heart full of forgiveness and a vision of the future. History can be servitude; it can also be freedom. He made that terrible South African darkness visible and a bright future possible.
By any standard it was a rare and inspiring achievement for a country that had become a suppurating sore in the very soul of Africa. Compare him with some of the current African leaders and his actions become more extraordinary and amazing.
On the day of his official funeral, I attended the International Human Rights Day at the National Library of Australia. One may note in passing that yesterday’s penal colony has become one of the freest societies—Canberra celebrated its centenary last year and passed a law legalising same-sex marriage.
But it is only in 1967 that the Aboriginal people were  given rights to be regarded as citizens of the new nation. And this year Australia is embarking on a larger journey of making the First Australians part of the Australian constitution.
It will be a long and difficult exercise for a people caught in colonial conquests in a year where the 100th anniversary of the first World War is being commemorated—the war that unravelled  the futility and hegemony of imperialism and gave birth to Nazism, Hitler and the Holocaust. The great empires become rubbles in the intestines of time.
But a few ideas do remain in the ruins of Empires.

Anniversaries
2013 had also significant anniversary : it was the 150 anniversary of the Gettysburg Address given on November 19,1863, by the sixteenth President of the  US, Abraham Lincoln, (1809-1865). The dedication to the Union dead, soldiers who had died in July, is barely 266 words.
It is really the dedication of a cemetery to the dead but out of it emerged America’s most famous speech ever delivered. In the midst of a civil war, Lincoln’s heart was full of healing the wounds of a nation.
In that memorable speech, the phrase that caught my imagination is ” a new birth of freedom”.
Of course its last soaring words are—“and the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”. Often repeated but seldom followed even in the United States. Ask President Barrack Obama and he will tell the story of his struggle for the people in what is often described as the greatest democracy.
But the astonishing truth is that but for Abe Lincoln, Barrack Obama would have been an impossibility. Just as for Mohandas Gandhi in South Africa, we’d have had a different quality Mandela.
Words are vital for any people and they give vitality to ideals by which men and women live and even perish. And nothing is more powerful than a human example who make seemingly impossible, practicably possible.

2014 Fiji significance
This year 2014 has a special significance for Fiji –new elections will be held on a new constitution, adopted in September 2013. Elections are due before 30 September 2014.
The present Fiji constitution contains some of the most fundamental and profound ideals on which a free and democratic Fiji may be created.
If at Gettysburg  Lincoln talked of a  “ new birth of freedom’, can one say this year can be “a new birth of Fiji” as a nation?
Lincoln begins his speech with “four score and seven”—that is 87. In 1987 Fiji went through its racist coups and political turmoil created by the trusted leaders. Fiji hasn’t fully recovered—it has deformed our humanity as a people for at least a generation.
87, I believe, has biblical resonance; certainly in cricket it’s an unlucky number. The present England team will vouchsafe for that.
And the South Pacific region generally kept its shameful silence because they saw the coups in racial terms.

Abraham’s speech
Abe Lincoln’s speech can be interpreted as an epiphany of birth, death and rebirth.
We’ve just celebrated Christmas and welcomed a new year. We may understand the meaning of that transition and transformation through our national and personal suffering. But also our abiding faith in what we can do together.
Lincoln’s brief speech is dedicated not only to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to preserve the Union but more importantly to the living and the ideal that all men are created equal.
Imagine if the drafters of the constitution had said only all white men were created equal. Or only the Christians?
Even as the founding fathers were writing the Declaration of Independence in their log-cabins, they were owners of slaves who lived just below them. And not a few were lovers.
But in a moment of blinding clarity they saw beyond themselves. All men are created equal—men here is used in its generic sense although in our modern politically correct parlance we will now say all men and women are created equal. This today is non-negotiable and a self-evident truth; essential and integral to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
This is the most momentous expression in the American Declaration. Its magnificence has inspired generations, and not only in the US. That is why we call America the greatest democracy in the world. And like all democracies, at times, messy, even crazy, exasperating and exalting.
Lincoln was fighting a civil war above all to preserve the Union of the States. But the timeless idea of equality —equality of citizenship irrespective of any defining criteria of colour or origin, race or religion, slave or master; and freedom from human slavery—the shameful invention of man for thousands of years.
Lincoln had implacable enemies and was finally assassinated like Gandhi. Nelson Mandela died in his sleep.
It is said that Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address is the best short speech since the Sermon on the Mount:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from those honoured dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Our Constitution and the Gettysburg dedication should, I think, be part of our curriculum in senior forms where education is now genuinely free.

By FARISHA AHMED

The 1.88 metre high tide on Thursday night saw parts of Greig Street in Suva flooded again after the Nubukalou Creek burst its banks.
Shop owners said this was one problem that they have had to live with for a long time.
Suva Book Shop manager Shahida Begum said she had to return to the shop after 6.30pm on Thursday.
“We usually have to come back when there is high tide and place sand bags by the door,” Mrs Begum said.
“Water was inside the shop when we came and luckily stationery were on shelves and those that were on the floor had to be moved to higher ground.
“It becomes tiring and at times very costly when supplies get damaged.”
A second-hand clothing shop owner of Australian Quality Clothing, Muniama, said nothing had been done regardless of the many complaints lodged to relevant stakeholders.
“For the past nine years I have been renting the space, and this sudden turn of events usually give us a lot of work and stress,” Ms Muniama said.
“I open my shop at 11o’clock in the morning and the water was inside the shop and was ankle deep. Luckily nothing was on the floor, however the sewerage smell and the rubbish that comes with the high tide become difficult to clean.”
Suva City Council’s chief executive officer, Bijay Chand, said they have already spoken to building owners to lift their floor level.
“The building belongs to Fiji National Provident Fund. We have asked them to lift the floor level as we have seen shop owners facing problems due to high tides,” Mr Chand said.
“The building will be demolished this year so that floor levels are raised similar to MHCC.”

The 1.88 metre high tide on Thursday night. Photo: IMTIAZ ALI

By FARISHA AHMED

Human population density along Navua, Suva and Nausori corridors has been identified as a possible reason for the high number of dengue fever cases in the Central Division.
The Ministry of Health had confirmed that the Central Division recorded 283 dengue positive cases from November 1 to December 30, 2013.
“The high number of dengue cases in the Central Health division particularly in Suva, signifies that conditions for fostering rapid dengue transmission prevails in Suva and adjacent townships of Nausori and Navua,” the acting national advisor on communicable diseases, Dr Mike Kama, said.
“Due to the high likelihood of travel by our population from urban to rural areas during this festive period, it effectively puts the other health division’s (outside Central Division) at risk of importing dengue fever.
“But it will depend on the density of the dengue-transmitting mosquito in those localities too,” he said.
The Ministry is working with its sectoral, regional, private, and bilateral partners, and also communities and individuals to curb the transmission of dengue in the country.
“The ministry is enhancing dengue literacy amongst Fijian through the media, by providing necessary information, on dengue and protecting individuals and communities from contracting the disease,” Dr Kama said.
The Health ministry is calling on people to play their part and report to health centres if they’re experiencing symptoms of dengue fever.

By WAISEA NASOKIA

Smiles radiated on the faces of orphans at the Treasure House Christian Children’s Home in Nakavu, Nadi, as Projects Abroad, a United Kingdom-based volunteer organisation, paid them a visit yesterday.
Projects Abroad (Fiji), which has been operating in the country since 2009 through volunteer Nicole Galloway from UK, made a donation to the home.
Ms Galloway donated $2104 to children’s home yesterday.
On behalf of Nicole Galloway, Projects Abroad (Fiji) project co-ordinator Mere Gaunavou handed the cheque to Treasure House board director Maika Nakora during the presentation ceremony.
Ms Gaunavou said Ms Galloway had volunteered at the orphanage through Projects Abroad (Fiji) and stayed for three weeks before returning to UK last year.
“Projects Abroad Fiji is spending the last few weeks of school holiday helping at the Treasure House,” Ms Gaunavou.
“The children are happy to see the smiley faces of volunteers helping out at the orphanage.”
Over the years, Projects Abroad sends around 10,000 volunteers a year to more than 28 countries globally.
Treasure House director Maika Nakora said the Home was grateful for the donation.
“We greatly appreciate this donation by Ms Nicole; it will help with the daily running of the orphanage,” Mr Nakora said.

Staffs of Projects Abroad co-ordinator Mere Gaunavou with Treasure House Christian Children’s Home family members and Board of Director Maika Nakora in Nakavu, Nadi, yesterday. Photo: PROJECTS ABROAD

By ROSI DOVIVERATA

The Labasa community outreach which ended yesterday is the first part of the Roshika Deo – Be the Change campaign before a manifesto is finalised.
A post on the campaign Facebook page said: “We will be coming again at the end of this month or early next month to visit some more communities and Savusavu is on the list.”
While in Labasa, Ms Deo heard about social and land issues.
Her team spoke about the Constitution, the electoral processes and how the communities could be involved to contribute more to nation building.
The Roshika Deo – Be The Change Campaign team was in Labasa from January 3.
Here is what campaign Facebook page said: “The Roshika Deo – Be The Change Campaign is more than about elections for her. It’s about building friendship and solidarity, enabling active citizenship, promoting unity and sharing information.
“Roshika is building this political movement because she strongly feels it’s time for CHANGE; and for active and substantive participation of young people and women in the running of our country.
“Be The Change Campaign will advocate for matters on women and children; land and environment; education and health; and accountability and transparency.
The team is also expected to visit Ba and Rakiraki in the coming weeks.

Roshika Deo with her supporters in the Northern Division this week. Photo: ROSHIKA DEO/FACEBOOK

By LOSALINI RASOQOSOQO

A team of immigration officers are currently in Nadi investigating a case of human trafficking.
The Department of Immigration’s director, Major Nemani Vuniwaqa, confirmed on television yesterday that they were investigating a case of human trafficking involving people from India.
He said they’d received information in relation to the issue.
No further details could be obtained by the Fiji Sun in relation to the case.
In an earlier case, an Asian national was convicted and is now behind bars for an international case of human trafficking. The case involved the Asian national bringing in Malaysian girls, keeping them in a hotel for the purpose of  prostitution.
Another recent case of human trafficking under reckless act involved a man from India who had lured people from India into going to work in a New Zealand farm but he brought them to Fiji without them knowing.
The perpetrator from India is currently serving his six year term in prison.

By LOSALINI RASOQOSOQO

The tikina o’ Nakelo is in mourning after the death of their chief and Tui Nakelo, Ratu Manasa Talakuli.
Ratu Manasa’s death was confirmed yesterday by a family member who did not wish to be named as the message of his death needed to be relayed first to chiefly households around the country.
Ratu Manasa died on Sunday at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva after a long illness.
He was one of the first Fijians to be commissioned into the British Army and had lived in the United Kingdom with his family for years until his retirement.
He was married to the late Adi Samanunu Cakobau -  the eldest daughter of the late Vunivalu of Bau and former Governor-General, Ratu Sir George Cakobau.
Ratu Manasa is expected to be buried next to his wife at Nakauniceva, the chiefly burial ground (sautabu) at Nauluvatu Village in Nakelo.
Adi Samanunu died in 2012 at the age of 72.
They are survived by their only son Josefa Talakuli.