Prologue; Roaming around

Swimming With Sharks

For most, the Pacific is an image of alluring beaches and warm welcomes - ‘the way the world should be’ as Fiji once described itself. For me, the South Pacific is a sea of states that ban me. Banning orders have arrived by post; and one time I learned I was persona non grata when a friendly nation diplomat faxed me a copy of an unfriendly capital’s gazetted decree. Fiji’s state controlled radio carried my banishment order and a friend phoned up. 

OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF POLICE

NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA

The Minister of Police instructs that as from today Tuesday 23rd November 1993 you must lodge an application either in writing or by fax applying for a visa to enter the Kingdom of Tonga two weeks prior to any intended visit.

Failure to conform to these instructions together with a response to your request may result in your being refused entry into the Kingdom.

All the Airlines serving the Kingdom are being given a copy of this fax. ‘E.’AHO

Deputy Police Commander 

OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF POLICE

NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA

Your letter of application dated 12 June 1996 for permission to enter the Kingdom for the purpose of attending the Pacific Islands New Association convention from 6-9 August 1996 has been carefully considered and declined.

Deputy Police Commander ‘E.’AHO

Kiribati Gazette

No 8                         31 August 1999

DECLARATION OF MICHAEL J. FIELD AS AN UN-DESIRABLE IMMIGRANT

In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section 11 (2)(f) of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 41), I hereby declare MICHAEL J. FIELD, Journalist, of Agence France-Presse, 93 Boulcott St., Wellington, New Zealand to be an undesirable immigrant.

The said MICHAEL J. FIELD is therefore, with effect from the 5th day of August, 1999, prohibited from entering the Republic of Kiribati until further notice.

Dated at Bairiki, Tarawa 6th day of August 1999

Hon. Tebaroro Tito

The Beretitenti and Minister of Foreign Affairs

I have given my endorsement for those overseas media outlets that wants to come and visit Fiji and find out for themselves what’s happening on the ground to come. However we are not going to let in the people that we did not allow in the first place, people like Michael Field…. Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, April 16, 2009