Fiji
Rebuilding Iraq
Fijians Are Playing A Role In Iraq, In And Out Of Uniform
| Fiji soldiers have an international reputation as peacekeepers, particularly
through their work in Lebanon. But they are now making their presence felt
out of uniform in Iraq, the world's most volatile war zone. More than 800
Fijian men are currently being readied for one-year contracts, working as
unarmed civilians in Iraq and Kuwait.
In late October the United Nations and U.S. publicly acknowledged the role Fiji will play as a nation supporting efforts to rebuild Iraq. But it has prompted many critics of the Iraq and Kuwait deployment to express concerns over what is being described "quick-fix" solutions to Fiji's increasing unemployment dilemma. - ADVERTISEMENT -
Fiji media reports have largely attributed "desperation for jobs" as the main reason two security firms-U.K.- based Global Risk Strategies and Meridian Security Company - have attracted such enormous interest from Fijian men wanting to work in Iraq and Kuwait. Head of Global Risk Strategies' Fiji operations, former military senior officer, Lt. Colonel Sakiusa Raivoce, says desperation for employment and better pay are the main reasons thousands of Fijians are taking the risks to work in Iraq. "These risks include kidnapping, roadside bombing, shoot-outs and cold-blooded murder," Lt. Col. Raivoce says. At the same time, thousands of civilians have expressed their interest in work in Kuwait with a new firm, Meridian Services Company, despite questions over the legitimacy of their Fiji representive.
Many applicants interviewed but who chose not to be named, said the money was too good to resist and facing death was a risk they would have to take. Chief Executive in the Prime Minister's Office Joji Kotobalavu says the deployment of Fijians to Iraq is a good thing because it provides a source of income for many families. "We all know about the war in Iraq and risks associated with the job so it's an individual's choice," Kotobalavu says. "The Government cannot stop anyone because they are exercising their constitutional right and freedom to travel and work anywhere." Recruiting officer for Meridian Security Services, Timoci Lolohea, had said applicants are thoroughly briefed on the risks involved. He says those recruited will go to Kuwait as logistics support officers such as drivers, engineers and tradesmen. However Lolohea was prevented from leaving Fiji mid-November following allegations of misrepresentation. About 850 Fijians are expected to be deployed to Kuwait on a salary scale ranged from FJD$3,600 to FJD$6,000 (approx. US$2,100 - US$3,500) per month. "Since the men will be based in Kuwait, every time they cross the Iraq border they will be paid a risk allowance ranging from FJD$950 to FJD$1,500 (approx. US$550 -US$880)," Lolohea says. This is big money for the average Fiji citizen. Lolohea says the demand for Fiji soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait is so great that he intends to recruit up to 2,000 men for the mission. As a result, the Republic Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has been forced to take stock of its manpower requirements and plans to go on a major recruiting drive next year. RFMF Spokesman, Captain Neumi Leweni, says the military sees the demand for Fiji soldiers as a "positive indication of the reputation of the skills of Fiji soldiers." To date, just over 200 soldiers have resigned from the army to take up overseas assignments. Global Risk Strategies says since the inception of its security deployment last year, more than 1,000 Fijians had returned from duties in Iraq. Raivoce says in the past 15 months, about FJD$15million (US$8.8 million) has come into the country. "The environment is not an easy one but it comes with the money," he says. In October this year, the United Nations announced that 130 Fijians would provide security details for senior UN officials and a guard unit would protect its facilities in Baghdad. United Nations spokeswoman Maria Okabe says Fiji is the first country to specifically protect UN officials in Iraq. The safety of UN personnel and premises has been an urgent issue for the UN since two bomb attacks against its headquarters in Baghdad last year led to the withdrawal of all international staff. The first blast in August killed 22 people, including the Secretary-General's Special Representative and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, (who had visited Fiji on a UN mission after the 2000 coup) and wounded scores of others. The Fiji contingent, which includes six women, will initially serve for three months in Baghdad. This mandate will most likely be extended to six months but most commentators agree the "rebuilding of Iraq" and hence Fiji's potential involvement will go on for much, much longer.
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