Sir Bob welcomes Fiji’s return

By AILEEN KWARAGU
GOVERNOR-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae has welcomed Fiji’s move to re-open its high commission in Port Moresby, after its closure in late 2020.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, in a traditional ceremony at Government House yesterday, formally sought Sir Bob’s blessing, as Fiji moves to reestablish an official presence in Port Moresby, and reaffirm his country’s commitment to regional solidarity and traditional ties.
Prime Minister James Marape, during his visit to Suva in February, had promised to allocate a piece of land in Port Moresby for Fiji to build a permanent high commission.
Rabuka arrived yesterday afternoon and was received by Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and Defence chief Major-General Mark Goina at Jackson Airport.
He inspected a guard of honour.
Hiri Hanenamo Kimnjosh Damuri, as an ambassador of the Motu-Koitabu people and Motuan dancers from Kido in Central, staged a traditional welcome for Rabuka and wife Suluweti.
Rabuka will meet Marape this morning to follow up on their Suva discussion.
He will then address students of the University of Papua New Guinea, before he leaves with Marape for East New Britain.
Other Pacific Island nation leaders will be arriving in Port Moresby to attend the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (Fipic) on Monday.
Rabuka will tomorrow meet with the Fijian community in Port Moresby to update them on his government’s priorities.
Rabuka is also expected to meet with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to “advance discussions on regional cooperation and the bilateral relations between Fiji and India”.
Fipic was first held in Fiji in 2015, and in Jaipur, India, in 2016.

Fiji PM Rabuka to visit war heroes’ graves in East New Britain

A LITTLE military history accompanies Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka when he visits the Rabaul War Cemetery today, where Fijian soldiers, including a highly-decorated war hero, are buried.
War hero Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross by King George VI in 1944 – the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces.
Rabuka, a former commander of the Fiji military forces, and from the same province as Sukanaivalu, travels to East New Britain today with Prime Minister James Marape to visit the graves of the Fijian soldiers who fought against Japanese in the Bougainville campaign during the World War Two.
Sukanaivalu died under Japanese fire on June 23, 1944, at Mawaraka, Bougainville, during an attempt to rescue comrades, in circumstances which led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross.
The citation reads: “The King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to (Regimental No) 4469 Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, Fiji Military Forces.
“On June 23, 1944, at Mawaraka, Bougainville, Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu crawled forward to rescue some men who had been wounded when their platoon was ambushed and some of the leading elements had become casualties.
“After two wounded men had been successfully recovered, this non-commissioned officer (NCO), who was in command of the rear section, volunteered to go on further alone to try and rescue another one, in spite of machine gun and mortar fire.
“But on the way back, he himself was seriously wounded in the groin and thighs and fell to the ground, unable to move any further.
“Several attempts were then made to rescue Corporal Sukanaivalu but without success, owing to heavy fire being encountered on each occasion and further casualties caused.
“This gallant NCO then called to his men not to try to get to him as he was in a very exposed position.
“But they replied that they would never leave him to fall alive into the hands of the Japanese enemy.
“Realising that his men would not withdraw as long as they could see that he was still alive, and knowing that they were themselves and in danger of being killed or captured as long as they remained where they were, Sukanaivalu raised himself up in front of the Japanese machine gun and was riddled with bullets.
“This brave Fiji soldier, after rescuing two wounded men with the greatest heroism, and being gravely wounded himself, deliberately sacrificed his own life because he knew it was the only way the remainder of his platoon could be induced to retire from a situation they must have been annihilated had they not withdrawn.” (The London Gazette of Nov 2, 1944).
His body was eventually recovered by Australian forces assisted by members of the Fijian First Docks Company.