FAR be if from me to introduce this undemocratic idea, but how about Russia as Fiji’s next best buddy?
If I was Australia and New Zealand, and by extension the United States, I would be quaking in my boots about the consequence of further isolating Fiji.
As unsavoury as this sounds, Fiji’s leadership has shown no hesitation in worming its way up China’s channel through its support of action in Tibet.
Making overtures to Russia would not be too far a leap of the imagination.
Bainimarama would only have to glance at recent history for added inspiration: In 1985 Kiribati signed a one-year fishing deal with the USSR worth $1.5 million.
The deal gave the Soviets access to Kiribati fisheries but caused panic within the US military establishment because it also allowed Soviet fishing vessels to venture deep into “US-friendly waters”.
Soviet “fishing vessels” were of course synonymous with a sophisticated intelligence-gathering program. Their ships, disguised as trawlers sailed the ocean, spying on military and commercial installations, and snatching secrets from the ether.
But up until then, the US had shown Kiribati and the wider Pacific countries nothing but arrogance, insensitivity and ignorance in its dealings with them.
Of course, if Bainimarama were to invite the resurgent Russians, how long would it take before the villainous side of the arrangement reared its ugly head?
If I was Australia and New Zealand, and by extension the United States, I would be quaking in my boots about the consequence of further isolating Fiji.
As unsavoury as this sounds, Fiji’s leadership has shown no hesitation in worming its way up China’s channel through its support of action in Tibet.
Making overtures to Russia would not be too far a leap of the imagination.
Bainimarama would only have to glance at recent history for added inspiration: In 1985 Kiribati signed a one-year fishing deal with the USSR worth $1.5 million.
The deal gave the Soviets access to Kiribati fisheries but caused panic within the US military establishment because it also allowed Soviet fishing vessels to venture deep into “US-friendly waters”.
Soviet “fishing vessels” were of course synonymous with a sophisticated intelligence-gathering program. Their ships, disguised as trawlers sailed the ocean, spying on military and commercial installations, and snatching secrets from the ether.
But up until then, the US had shown Kiribati and the wider Pacific countries nothing but arrogance, insensitivity and ignorance in its dealings with them.
Of course, if Bainimarama were to invite the resurgent Russians, how long would it take before the villainous side of the arrangement reared its ugly head?
Tags: bainimarama, Fiji, Russia
