NEWLY declassified papers show Australia sought greater leverage and deeper ties with Fiji ahead of the 2006 coup.
The Australian cabinet papers reveal Canberra believed it needed to build stronger political, economic and security links with Fiji in order to maintain influence during a period of rising instability.
The documents — declassified on January 1 — outline strategic thinking within the Howard Government in 2005 as relations between Fiji’s government and the military became increasingly tense.
“We need to consider ways to maximise our interests and leverage over the longer term,” one cabinet briefing stated.
“We should develop stronger and broader political ties, reinforce regional cooperation and trade and investment links, enhance our development partnership and increase our cooperation on defence, security and law enforcement.”
While Australia already had regular high-level contact with Fiji through the Pacific Islands Forum and annual Foreign Ministers’ meetings, officials argued this was no longer enough.
“Broader ministerial engagement … is lacking,” the papers said, noting that Australia had far more active ministerial links with Papua New Guinea.
More “frequent and diverse ministerial contact, especially in the areas of trade, defence and law and order, would help build bilateral trust and confidence.”
The briefing suggested parliamentary exchanges could also be “expanded and better coordinated” and proposed inviting the winner of Fiji’s 2006 election to Australia as a “Guest of Government.”
The papers also confronted Fiji’s deep racial divisions, acknowledging that “the racial problem that divides Fiji is no closer to resolution.”
Officials recommended that Australia make clear it was “sympathetic to the concerns of indigenous Fijians,” but stressed those concerns “have to be balanced against the legitimate interests of all Fiji citizens.”
Canberra believed it could play a constructive role in reconciliation efforts, including by supporting restorative-justice approaches.
The documents noted the visit to Fiji by Father Michael Lapsley, who was involved in South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation process, and suggested Australia and New Zealand should “examine alternative models of reconciliation for the GoF to consider.”
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase had already referred publicly to South Africa’s process as the starting point for Fiji’s Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill.
