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### Viewing cable 06CANBERRA1940, AUSTRALIA DECLINES FIJI'S REQUEST FOR MILITARY

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06CANBERRA1940 | 2006-12-05 06:44 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy Canberra

`

    VZCZCXRO6231
    OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
    DE RUEHBY #1940/01 3390644
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    O 050644Z DEC 06
    FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6417
    INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
    RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA IMMEDIATE 1297
    RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 0920
    RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE IMMEDIATE 3575
    RUEHBAD/AMCONSUL PERTH IMMEDIATE 2056
    RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY IMMEDIATE 1570
    RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 CANBERRA 001940

    SIPDIS

    NOFORN
    SIPDIS

    STATE FOR EAP, EB, CA, P AND IO

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2016
    TAGS: PREL MARR MASS AS FJ NZ
    SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA DECLINES FIJI'S REQUEST FOR MILITARY
    INTERVENTION; PLANS TO CUT DEFENSE TIES AND IMPOSE TRAVEL
    BAN ON BAINIMARAMA AND SUPPORTERS

    REF: STATE 195037

    Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole, for reasons 1.4 (b) a
    nd (d).

    SUMMARY
    -------
    ¶1. (C) Australia declined a request by Fijian Prime Minister
    Qarase for Australian military intervention to prevent a coup
    by the RFMF Commander Bainimarama.  In reaction to events,
    the Australian Foreign Minister announced December 5
    Australia would suspend defense ties with Fiji, including
    imposing a travel ban on Fijian military personnel and any
    others involved in the "creeping coup."  Meanwhile, senior
    Australian and New Zealand officials discussed with visiting
    EAP/ANP Director Steven McGann coordinating policy responses
    to events in Fiji during a December 5 Canberra-Wellington
    digital video conference, outlining the range of sanctions
    under consideration by both governments.  End Summary.

    ------------------------------
    AUSTRALIA REFUSES TO INTERVENE
    ------------------------------
    ¶2. (SBU) Prime Minister Howard told the press December 5 that
    Fijian Prime Minister Qarase had telephoned him that morning
    to request Australian military intervention to prevent a coup
    by Fijian military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
    Howard said he had declined the request because it was "not
    in Australia's national interest" to intervene, adding that
    he could not countenance Australian and Fijian troops
    fighting one another on the streets of Suva.

    --------------------------------------------- --
    OA TO SUSPEND DEFENSE TIES, IMPOSE TRAVEL BAN ON COUP
    PERPETRATORS
    --------------------------------------------- --
    ¶3. (SBU) In Parliament December 5, Foreign Minister Downer
    strongly condemned the attempted overthrow of a
    democratically-elected government, deploring the behavior of
    both Bainimarama and Fiji President Iloilo in supporting the
    RFMF chief in what he termed a "creeping coup."  Warning that
    the international response to a coup would be "swift and
    sharp," Downer announced Australia would suspend defence ties
    with Fiji as soon as it became apparent that the Prime
    Minister could not longer govern.  The suspension of military
    and defense cooperation would include a ban on all travel of
    Bainimarama and his family members, Bainimaram's supporters,
    and any others who might be part of an unconstitutional
    government.  He alluded to the UN Secretary General's warning
    that Fiji might be removed from peacekeeping operations, and
    said the GOA would consider taking other steps against an
    illegal government in Fiji as well, possibly to include
    recommending suspension from the Commonwealth and removal of
    Fiji from the chairmanship of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF).
     (Other steps under consideration by Australia are detailed
    in para 6 below.)

    --------------------------------------------- --
    U.S.-AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND DVC ON POLICY RESPONSES TO FIJI
    COUP
    --------------------------------------------- --
    ¶4. (C) Earlier on December 5, visiting EAP/ANP Director
    Steven McGann held a DVC with Australia's DFAT Pacific
    Division First Assistant Secretary David A. Ritchie and New
    Zealand Deputy Foreign Secretary Alan Williams with the aim
    of discussing trilateral coordination of policy responses to
    a possible coup in Fiji.  McGann noted the United States
    would need to consider carefully when to declare events in
    Suva a "coup," which would trigger immediate suspension of
    all aid under Section 508 of the Foreign Operations
    Appropriation Act.  The U.S. might initially declare that "an
    unlawful or unconstitutional change of government" had taken
    place, which would allow flexibility in ending assistance to

    CANBERRA 00001940  002 OF 004

    coup perpetrators while maintaining assistance to the
    civilian population.

    -------------------------
    NEW ZEALAND'S PROPOSED STEPS
    -------------------------
    ¶5. (C) Prime Minister Clark shared the U.S. view, Williams
    explained.  Rather than wait for a formal announcement of a
    coup by Fiji, New Zealand planned to take steps upon unlawful
    removal of the Fiji government's authority due to
    "unconstitutional actions by the military in Fiji."  Three
    immediate steps the GNZ planned to take, subject to approval
    by Prime Minister Clark, were:
    -- Imposing travel bans on RFMF officers and their families,
    as well as others involved in the coup;
    -- Supporting Commonwealth sanctions, including possibly
    expulsion from the Commonwealth;
    -- Suspending bilateral defense ties, except for maritime
    patrols aimed at illegal fishing or humanitarian operations
    such as search-and-rescue missions.  The latter step would
    include suspending military visits and training. (Note:  As
    this cable was in preparation, Prime Minister Clark announced
    implementation of the steps above.  See also Ref A.)

    ¶6. (C) Beyond the immediate actions, New Zealand was
    considering other sanctions, including: suspension of
    high-level contacts; a freeze on the recent labor mobility
    initiative announced at the PIF that would permit Fijians to
    work in New Zealand;  other immigration measures, such as
    suspending Fiji's eligibility under the access quota;
    targeted cessation of aid that directly assisted the Fijian
    government (but not aid for the "lower-end" population); a
    sports ban; removing Fiji as chair of the Pacific Island
    Forum (PIF), and freezing of financial assets.  Williams said
    New Zealand was not prepared to invoke trade sanctions or to
    recall either its High Commissioner or its Defense Attache
    from Suva, except for consultations.

    ---------------------------
    AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE TO COUP
    ---------------------------
    ¶7. (C) Australia was considering similar sanctions, David
    Ritchie said, although the GOA did not envision their phased
    implementation.  Australian sanctions under consideration
    that had been endorsed by FM Downer included:
    -- Imposing travel bans on Fijian coup perpetrators and those
    recruited to an interim government;
    -- Suspending defense cooperation, including funding and
    technical support for the Pacific Patrol Boat program;
    -- Ending technical assistance to the RFMF;
    -- Expelling Fijian students at Australian military training
    academies;
    -- Recommending Commonwealth sanctions;
    -- Removing Fiji as chair of the PIF (noting this was up to
    PIF Secretary Greg Urwin);
    -- Seeking further statements from the UN Secretary General
    and UN Security Council;
    -- Urging other countries to impose sanctions.  (Ritchie
    noted France and approached the GOA, indicating it wished to
    cooperate in putting pressure on Fiji.)
    -- Imposing financial sanctions on Commander Bainimarama;
    -- Urging the UN to name a Special Representative to Fiji;
    -- Urging withdrawal from United Nations peacekeeping
    operations; and
    -- Examining further actions/sanctions under the Biketawa
    Declaration.

    --------------------------------------------- ----
    U.S. REDLINE ON REMOVING FIJI FROM PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
    --------------------------------------------- ----
    ¶8. (C) McGann stressed Washington's concern that parties not
    rush to remove Fiji's participation in UN peacekeeping
    operations, noting the importance of Fiji to UN peacekeeping

    CANBERRA 00001940  003 OF 004

    operations in Baghdad and elsewhere.  Williams acknowledged
    the need to ensure that important peacekeeping operations,
    such as in Baghdad and Darfur, not be hindered, but drew
    attention to the impact such suspension might make on the
    Fijian military, which is highly dependent on PKO
    remittances.  Moreover, he pointed out, the effect of
    reducing military assistance to Fiji would be to degrade the
    RFMF's capability, thus making Fiji less acceptable for
    peacekeeping operations.  The United Nations itself would
    need to make a determination whether poor discipline of
    Fijian troops or adverse impact caused by conditions in their
    home country might disqualify them from PKO participation.
    Ritchie concurred, adding that Australia might consider
    stopping payments to Fijian military elements under the
    Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon
    Islands (RAMSI).  Williams agreed, saying it would remove
    Fiji's credentials as an upholder of good government, but
    cautioned that such move not expand into UN PKO issues.  He
    supported retaining the Fijian police component in RAMSI.

    ¶9. (C) McGann outlined USG considerations and options for
    responding to the situation in Fiji, including possibly
    endorsing the suggestion that Fiji be removed as PIF chair.
    Unlike New Zealand and Australia, which saw value in issuing
    statements in advance of a coup, the U.S. did not want to
    make any pre-emptive statement, but wanted to act when an
    unlawful change had occurred, including imposing travel bans
    and other steps.  McGann said the U.S. would not recall its
    Ambassador to Suva, who would be key in coordinating the U.S.
    response.  McGann said EAP DAS Davies planned to convene
    countries represented at the Nandy PIF to outline U.S. steps
    in detail.  Ritchie said the GOA planned to call PIF
    countries together for a briefing on the afternoon of
    December 5.  Williams noted the importance of seeking views
    of India.

    ¶10. (C) In the midst of the DVC, Williams relayed breaking
    news that Fiji President Iloilo had announced that the
    military could take over the government; the Australian and
    New Zealand participants concluded that the President was
    acting outside his constitutional authority and that their
    governments would likely make statements later in the day.
    All agreed to continue close coordination, including with
    other countries that had been represented at the PIF.

    ---------------------
    EMINENT PERSONS GROUP
    ---------------------
    ¶11. (C) In a discussion about the Eminent Persons Group
    (EPG), McGann said the United States was not prepared to
    nominate a representative in advance of a coup but could
    issue a statement associating the United States with the
    EPG's objectives of urging adherence to the rule of law.
    The U.S. might be interested in participating in a post-coup
    EPG that sought to restore constitutional government, he
    added.  Williams questioned whether the EPG would have any
    utility, but pledged New Zealand support it if the current
    Fijian Government asked for an EPG to visit.   He listed
    several suggestions by PIF Secretary Greg Urwin regarding
    composition of the EPG.  (Note:  Ref A was not received until
    after the DVC.  Embassy will convey substance separately to
    First Assistant Secretary Ritchie.)

    --------------------------------------------- --
    AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ACCEPT INVITATION TO FEBRUARY 1
    SUBREGIONAL CHIEFS OF MISSION CONFERENCE
    --------------------------------------------- --
    ¶12. (SBU) Williams and Ritchie accepted McGann's invitation
    to participate in the United States subregional Chiefs of
    Mission conference in Honolulu on February 1.

    ¶13. (U) This message was cleared with Embassy Wellington.
    EAP/ANP Director McGann did not have an opportunity to review

    CANBERRA 00001940  004 OF 004

    this message prior to his departure from Canberra.

    MCCALLUM

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