Terrorism threat to Fiji
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Other threats include trans-national crimes, impact of climate change, natural disasters, unsustainable loss of natural resources and socio-economic issues.
Following a careful analysis of the many threats and associated vulnerabilities, the chair of the NSS committee Esala Teleni told the heads of missions at the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH) Monday. It has determined that there was 16 key objectives (capabilities) that were required to counter or mitigate the extent of exposures to these threats.
These are:
1) Strengthening of Government institutions integrity
2) Protection of Public order safety and security
3) Border security and integrity
4) Socio-economic issues
5) Strong and stable fiscal policy
6) Strong civil defence
7) Food security
8) Education
9) Health security
10) Environment security
11) Relations with public
12) International relations
13) Fiji Defence Policy
14) Police policy
15) Immigration policy.
16) Intelligence policy
According to Teleni for number 13 to 16, they are to prepare their White Papers in line with the NSS committee and they would help if needed.
The NSS, he said might be described as the measures taken to ensure Fiji’s survival, security and protection of its interests.
“In Fiji the NSS has taken a broader meaning beyond military defence, from external threats. It now encompasses civil defence, maintenance of law and order, criminal justice and social problems,” he said.
Towards this he said, there was a need to enhance co-ordinations and cooperation among different ministries and national security organisations.
Teleni said that all Fijians had a role to play in safe guarding Fiji’s national security.
“Certainly the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and Fiji Police have critical roles to play that are central to effective implementation of NSS.”
The NSS he said had invited everyone to join its process of change of mind and transformation as this was crucial for the achievement of the national security goals.
He said the NSS paper was now in its draft form.
Teleni clarified that the NSS was not only for the security forces.
The vision for the NSS is – A safe, secure, stable and prosperous Fiji.
He said the NSS was crucial as Fiji faced changing security environment and threats and also set a platform to gather several initiatives already implemented by the Government and put in place other mechanism that were required to ensure that a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to national security.
Teleni said that the NSS identified five security goals to effectively address the challenges Fiji was facing.
The goals are:
1)Maintenance of a harmonious and peaceful internal environment
2)Protection and maintenance of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
3)Maintenance of community and people’s well-being.
4)Strengthening of global and regional security.
5)Protection of national resources and environment.
He said to be able to respond effectively against the emerging security threats and challenges, the Government needed to strengthen institutions to be able to adapt to changes and challenges. Institutions, he said must become flexible and more innovative.
As a key part of the view in developing the NSS, Teleni said Government institutions, in particular key security stakeholders were examined and analysed.
SOURCE: FIJI SUN/PACNEWS
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