Corruption in the Defense

In our previous blog, we discussed the involvement of the NZ and Australian commissioners in their feeble attempt to remove the current govt. Our blog ended on the note that there was evidence to show the then police commissioner Andrew Hughes was also heavily involved in the scandal.

If there ever was a questionable moment in the history of the police force, then Hughes was certainly the cause. During his stint as commissioner, Hughes quickly developed a reputation for being a leader who removed anyone he perceived a threat or questioned his decisions. Despite this, a number of officers loyal to the country chose too bring his attentions to the fore and he was quietly monitored. One of the key questions that is yet to be answered is why Hughes chose to depart so suddenly when the coup took place? Could it have something to do with that fact that he was under investigation and just before the coup, he consorted with Qarase and left the country without any word to his fellow officers except his mobile phone? Another question that is currently on the table is Hughes salary. It is completely understandable if a public figure owns a boat - but when that figure owns a multi-million dollar yacht on the salary of a mere police commissioner, then the question of funding will no doubt be put to him. Hughes refusal to divulge details has led to the conclusion being drawn that there were dubious moves between him and the SDL party who no doubt padded his pockets.

The fact that Hughes photo was taken during his honeymoon with Qarase when they landed at the Australian airport is testimony to the collusion between him and the SDL party. Any observer will note that he is not in uniform and is carrying Qarase's bag. Here was a man who had been preaching the importance of transparency and was found to be absconding with a man who nearly caused Fiji's financial ruin and continued to pursue his strategies against the current govt. by way of mobile communication with his fellow officers. Once the link was discovered, it was severed and Hughes had no choice but to exit the arena. Another worrying factor about Hughes that was noticed very early on was his decision to arm riot officers with weapons not sanctioned by the military. It is of course acknowledged that the military do not necessarily need to be involved in the purchase of ammunition, etc, but Fiji's laws currently prohibit any organization other then the military from bringing in ammunition into the country.

Yet here was a commissioner who believed he had the powers to do so and it is just as well that the military were tipped off about the container which arrived laden with enough ammunition for a long drawn out siege between the police and the army.

The Commander made it abundantly clear that the military was not going to allow the commissioner to have any weapons that it had not sanctioned and demanded full access to audit the armory at the police barracks.

It is only when they entered the armory that it was realized that with the equipment available to the police, the military would be easily neutralized and a decision was made to confiscate the weapons - another clear example of Qarase's attempts at letting blood flow by getting the police and army to fight. Hughes objected publicly and this was rebutted by the Commander - the rest is history.

As we write these articles, we come to realize a lot more because words have greater emphasis and we see things clearly. It is now that as we write this that the sense of how close we came to a crisis which has been averted now. The deception was uncovered and the perpetrators were brought out for the world to see while others fled the country to save their reputations which are now tainted in this country. People such as Parmesh Sharma who continue to stay in Fiji are monitored for all actions they carry out and directives have been issued to ensure that such individuals are never given positions which are linked with the govt. in order to prevent future corruption. Other individuals such as the ex-ministers have long realized their fates and resorted to a quiet and reflective life.

We appeal to the SV and RFN bloggers to hear the call to serve your nation by helping rebuild it. The divide has become far too wide and the very people you continually bash in your blogs are doing their utmost to ensure that Fiji is the way the world should be. We will of course not allow our sovereignty to be compromised by arrogant leaders of the Australian and NZ countries and people such as Angie Heffernan who has recently lost a case against the govt. will never be allowed to return to this country because their acts were treasonous and their opinions will never be allowed to come out publicly in Fiji again.

We ask you to support our cause and join hands with us.