RFMF Commander Out And About

There has been a lot of talk in recent days about the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces not being seen because he’s supposedly lost his job. Even some in diplomatic circles are looking for answers.

Here’s the facts: Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto is out, out of the country that is. He is away in Manila attending the Chief of Defence meeting hosted by the US Army Pacific Command. Need proof ? Rear Admiral Naupoto was very much in the Manila picture (see above) in a post on Twitter by New Zealand Defence Chief Lieutenant-General Tim Keating. Rear Admiral Naupoto is having breakfast with his Pacific counterparts. What’s the latest on our stranded navy boat? At least 18 Navy personnel are currently based at Nukulau Island. They are guarding the RFNS Kiro which ran aground 55 days ago on Cakauyawa Reef. A legal document is being drafted to use the services of the Walu Baybased Industrial and Marine Engineering Limited (IMEL) to salvage FNS Kiro.

She would, wouldn’t she?

Television New Zealand’s Pacific Correspondent, Barbara Dreaver, is at it again. This time using Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malilelegaoi Sailele’s jokes about our Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. This because the PM is not attending the Pacific Islands Forum meeting now underway up in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia as part of his stance against Australian and New Zealand’s role. Tuilaepa was also same time described by Ms Dreaver as a “force to be reckoned with,” and replacing Mr Bainimarama as a regional leader. What Ms Dreaver failed to tell her audience is that she is banned from Fiji because of what was seen as biased and damaging reporting.

She is more than a little bitter and vocal about it.