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Working Group 3 BACKGROUNDNational security is the first responsibility of government. It requires national leadership. National security is an all encompassing concept, referring to everything that contributes to the protection and well being of a nation’s population. Defense is the recourse to arms to protect national territory or advance national interests, and is but one important facet of Fiji’s security. How Fiji manages its trade, investment, public finances, immigration, customs, education, health, natural resources, gender relations, and above all, political stability are also vital elements in achieving security for the nation and its people. Republic of Fiji Military Forces The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has a long and proud tradition of service to the nation. The Constitution provides for its establishment. The President is the Commander in Chief. The RFMF is made up of the Army and the Naval Force. The RFMF is responsible for defence, internal security, international peacekeeping duties, nation building, youth training & infrastructure development in rural areas, protection of Fiji’s 200 mile EEZ, support operations during disasters, emergencies and maritime research and rescue. The RFMF also has used its specialized skills to assist in national development through development of hospitals, schools, churches and community halls. The Force is comprised of 3191 regular personnel distributed within the twelve units of the military. It includes a total of 512 personnel are deployed on peacekeeping missions, made up of 337 to Sinai, 7 in Sudan, I in East Timor and 167 in Iraq. The Constitution of the Republic of the Fiji Islands 27th July 1998 affirms the continued existence of the RFMF and provides for the Military Commander to be appointed by the President, on the advice of the Minister and for the Commander to exercise executive military command subject to the control of the Minister. It also provides for Parliament to make laws relating to the RFMF. The role of the RFMF is defined in the RFMF Act (Cap 81) as follows: “The Forces shall be charged with the defense of Fiji, with the maintenance of order and with such other duties as may from time to time be defined by the Minister”. Cap 81 does not specify the procedures for authorizing military support to the civil power or military support to the civil community. From time to time the RFMF has played a role in helping to maintain internal order and security. Through the Military Council, the RFMF advises the interim Prime Minister and Commander of the RFMF on national security. The Council also takes an interest in monitoring the implementation of the President’s mandate relating to governance of the country and may provide its views on relevant issues. Fji’s Reputation for a Coup Culture The Prime Minister referred at the first NCBBF meeting to ending Fiji’s reputation for having “coup culture”. The military played the initiating role in three of the four coups since 1987 and was a decisive factor in influencing the outcome in all four. The factors leading to these coups differ to some extent but all concern the relationship between different ethnic groups in Fiji. In supporting the national interest, the RFMF has felt impelled to act firmly to deal with and contain the national security implications of political and social crises that existed at the time of each coup. The legitimacy of its actions has been the subject of controversy. The role of the RFMF in a time of national crisis and emergency needs clarification. Other National Security Institutions
The Ministry of Defense, National Security and Immigration formulates and implements policies relating to defence, security, law and order. The Fiji Police Force is responsible for the maintenance of law and order, preservation of peace, protection of life and property, the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of all laws it is directly charged with. The Force is having to contend with a difficult law and order situation, with the growth in more serious crime and the emergence of transnational crime such as drug running and money laundering. Currently a total of 2488 officers are employed in the Police Force and breakdown for each section is as follows: Headquarters – 169; Special Branch – 125; Criminal Investigation Department – 497; Traffic Control Division – 155 and Training – 55 The Fiji Prisons Service is responsible for the safe, secure and humane treatment of persons in custody by providing opportunities to correct offending behavior, develop work and life skills and perform community service. They also work towards enhancing the quality of custodial responsibilities, improve inmate rehabilitation programmes, develop human resources and modernize the service. The Service has been under significant pressure in managing an overcrowded and under-resourced prison system. Other security agencies are as follows:
The Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been established to monitor flows of funds through the banking system to identify and investigate suspicious transactions related to money laundering, corruption and other illegal activities to provide inputs to investigation and enforcement agencies. At a regional level, a Pacific Anti-money Laundering Programme (PALP) has been established in 2006 in the Suva-based Forum Secretariat with support and cooperation of US and UN agencies. This program will strengthen anti-money laundering activities through training and capacity building with a practical, hands-on approach. These national and regional measures address the immediate and long term need to protect the integrity of the financial system from money laundering, corrupt practices and criminal abuse. ISSUES Role of Fiji Military Forces The nature and extent of the role that has been played by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces has been challenged in the media and by foreign Governments, particularly in light of previous and recent events. The desired future role of the RFMF needs clarification, in the light of national security objectives. A second issue concerns the manpower requirements of the RFMF. Some have questioned the justification for supporting the current size of the RFMF, given the absence of any significant external military threat. A related issue concerns the value of the role the Military Forces play in overseas deployments in peacekeeping exercises. While the necessity for this role has been questioned, it provides valuable economic benefits to Fiji through the remittances that are sent back to dependents to Fiji. In addition, others have queried the under-utilization of technical expertise in the military. Inefficient operations of the PWD can be boosted by the support from the military engineering unit, for example, in infrastructure work, community work, or supporting regional projects and initiatives. Other issues that have been raised related to the RFMF as needing attention include:
Ending the Coup Culture In Fiji As a young and fragile democracy there is a need to invest in Fiji’s security and stability as much as we can because it impinges on economic development and social stability. However, in ensuring any reputation for a coup culture is dissipated, there are a number of issues to be considered. They include:
Fiji needs to have governmental apparatus that ensures the Military is appropriately involved in decision-making related to its national security responsibilities. This process ensures that security governance is democratized and transparent and differences can be ironed out at an early stage. Parliamentary bills such as the two contentious ones now under scrutiny (Reconciliation and Qoliqoli Bill) which may have security implications needed to go through consultative processes for assessment and expression of views on their way to parliament. This would allow for continuous interaction and dialogue between the different security stakeholders. The inclusion of diverse groups in the process would ensure not only broad participation, also building up good relations between the institutions and organizations involved. No one should be isolated since security is everyone's business. Isolating various stakeholders such as the military or citizen groups would be a threat to national security itself in the long run. Defining National Security Issues for the Future Fiji needs to ensure that its organizations working in the national security field are focused on the key threats it faces for the future. Fiji does not face an external military threat but has a strategic interest in national stability, an effective international security system centered on the United Nations, and the defeat of terrorism. It also has a regional strategic interest in stability characterized by peace within and between Pacific Island states. Regional cooperation will be constrained and regional influence diminished by continuing internal political instability and conflict in Fiji. Domestically, the major risk for Fiji is internal such as conflicts about governance; domestic, racial and ethnic conflict; instability related to social disadvantage; and the impact of modernization on traditional power arrangements. Maritime security is a growing concern because of the need to protect fishery and mineral interest and deal with crime at sea. Policy decisions are required on:
More so, maritime security responsibilities and resources are scattered and could be performed more effectively and efficiently by one agency. Border security is also being threatened through people smuggling, drug running, money laundering and other transnational crime. Law and order is a growing concern, affecting the safety of people and the business climate generally. Serious crimes such as rape, robberies, home invasion, sexual assaults, prostitution, and drug use are increasing. Domestic violence is a continuing concern. National security also has an interest in ensuring Fiji is a democratic, peaceful, secure and prosperous community; a broadly accepted Constitution and electoral laws; competent and clean government; and competent law enforcement. The recent political crisis has had its toll on the general law and order situation in Fiji. Its impact has been felt by all law enforcement agencies such as the police, courts, prisons, military, and across general society as a whole. The main issues that these law enforcement agencies face include inadequate enforcement of legislation in light of manpower, equipment and resource constraints; a backlog of cases in the judicial system; access to law and justice; defense and security; weaknesses in internal discipline; prison overcrowding, and the need for human resource development within law enforcement agencies to deal with more sophisticated crimes such as white collar and internet fraud. Related to terrorist activities but also to corruption and wider economic crimes is the need to monitor flows of funds through the financial system both domestically and internationally. Effectiveness of the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Prisons Service Over the year, the growing scope and complexity of criminal activities has tested the competence of the law enforcement agencies. The Fiji Police Force, in particular, with limited resources, has been seeking to combat crime. Initiatives such as community policing, recruitment of special constables, and institutional strengthening of the Criminal Investigation Department have aided its efforts to maintain law and order. However, with globalization, transnational crimes, drug trafficking and money laundering in particular, have found its way into Fiji. Other law enforcement agencies have also suffered from inadequate resourcing such as the Fiji Prisons Service, with overcrowding and a number of the prison complexes in a condemned state. The effectiveness of the National Security Council has been questioned in terms of the process of participation of the military, police and other security stakeholders in decision-making. The question that then arises is there should be another broader security forum consisting not only of cabinet members, but also of the two security institutions (police and army), civilian experts on national security and representatives of relevant citizen groups. This is important to engage diverse viewpoints on issues of importance to national security. TASKS In its review of the above issues the working group will undertake the following tasks set out under priority topic related to “The Role of Fiji’s Security Forces in National Development”: Determining what action is needed, including through changes to laws and the institutional framework, and appropriate checks and balances, to end the “coup culture” in Fiji. .Assessing what are the other national security interests that need to be protected for the future (including border and maritime security) and examining the institutional framework that is needed to ensure longer term sustainable security in Fiji. Reviewing the effectiveness of the Police Force and the Prison Service and the future role they will need to play in order to be effective, having regard to recent increases in some serious crimes and to trends in transnational crime. Examining what mechanisms are needed to provide national direction, and necessary management and coordination, on security issues. Making any other recommendations considered appropriate in order to clarify or to strengthen the protection of national security. The working group is to comprise up to 20 members: of whom at least four (4) are NCBBF members plus up to 16 others from government and non-government sectors. At least 10 of the 16 additional members are from the non government sector. The Working Group would have the power to co-opt additional members as it sees fit.. TIMEFRAME It is anticipated that the WG will be established and operational within a fortnight. In consultation with the Head of TASS, the Working Group may request the preparation of literature reviews and commission issues and Discussion Papers (IDPs) to assist in its deliberations. The WG shall report back to NTTs at the latest by mid March 08 with its report(s) and recommendation forwarded for the preparation of the State of Nation & Economy (SNE) report. REFERENCES
.2002 Taskforce Reports – for the preparation of the Draft SDP 2003-2005, Report by the Law and Order Taskforce. National Planning Office
Dr Steven Ratuva – Briefing Paper for Forum Security Committee – University of the South Pacific, 15th June 2005
2006 Annual Plan – Australia – Fiji Law and Justice Sector Program
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