Jeremaia Waqanisau
Encyclopedia
Brigadier-General Jeremaia Waqanisau (1948 – April 25, 2010) OF
, MSD
, JP
, was a Fiji
an career soldier, civil servant, and diplomat
, who had served since April 2004 as his country's Ambassador
to China
.
, the United Kingdom
, and the United States
. He held a Certificate in Banking Administration (ABIA) from the ANZ Staff College in Sydney
, a Bachelor of Arts
in Public Administration and Sociology from the University of the South Pacific
in Suva
, Fiji, and a Master of Arts
in Defence and Security Analysis from Lancaster University
in the United Kingdom
. He earned a Diploma in Security Studies from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
in Hawaii
. He began his banking career with the ANZ in 1968.
. In November 1986 he was promoted to Senior Operations Planning Officer with UNIFIL. He held this post until May 1987, when he was transferred to the Sinai
, in Egypt
, serving till June 1988.
From August to October 1988, he was the Commanding Officer of the Army Training Group in Fiji. In November that year he was appointed Colonel Adjutant and Quarter-Master General in the Fiji Headquarters, and held this position till January 1991. In February, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General and appointed UNIFIL Chief of Staff. He remained in this position until March 1992. In April 1994, he became Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL; from February through May 1995, he acted as Force Commander. His last major posting was as Colonel Adjutant and Quarter-Master General in the Fiji Headquarters, from July 1995 through December 1996.
During his military career, Waqanisau also had two assignments as an attachment adviser. The first, in 1990, was as Military Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister's delegation to Hong Kong
, Taiwan
, and South Korea
. The second, in 1991, was as Adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs, concerning the review of Fiji's cooperative defence relationship with other Pacific countries.
Waqanisau's first diplomatic postings also came during his military service. From July 1992 to April 1994, he was posted as Counsellor to the Fiji Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Mission in New York City
. In May 1993 he was Chargé d'Affaires
to the UN Mission and then in December of the same year he held the same position at the Fijian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
In 1994, the Department of Peacekeeping appointed him as Military Adviser to the United Nations Secretary General's Peace Envoy to Afghanistan
.
's Western Division
from January 1997 through December 1998. In January 1999, he became Deputy Secretary for Regional Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs, and in September 2000, was appointed Permanent Secretary for National Reconciliataion and Unity, following the Fiji coup of 2000
.
In January 2001, he became Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President of Fiji. He was transferred to the post of Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Immigration in February 2002, and held this post in 2002 and 2003. In January 2004, Waqanisau was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, and Disaster Management. He held this position until April 2004, when he was selected for his final appointment as the Fijian Ambassador to China.
in 1970, when Fiji received its independence from the United Kingdom
. The UNIFIL Peace Keeping Medal and the MFO Peace Keeping Medal (in 1978 and 1987, respectively) were for his contributions to peacekeeping in the Middle East
.
He received the Fiji Republic Medal in 1988 and of the General Service Medal
in 1989; these were followed by the Meritorious Service Decoration (MSD)
in 1991. In 1995, he received the Fiji Independence Anniversary Medal, to commemorate 25 years of independence. He was made an Officer of the Order of Fiji
(OF)-Military Division in 1997, and a Justice of the Peace
(JP) in 2002.
Fijian honours system
The Fijian honours system dates from the granting of dominion status in 1970, when the Fijian Independence Medal was awarded to participants in the Fijian independence celebrations...
, MSD
Fijian honours system
The Fijian honours system dates from the granting of dominion status in 1970, when the Fijian Independence Medal was awarded to participants in the Fijian independence celebrations...
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, was a Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an career soldier, civil servant, and diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
, who had served since April 2004 as his country's Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Education and early career
Waqanisau was educated in Fiji, AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He held a Certificate in Banking Administration (ABIA) from the ANZ Staff College in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Public Administration and Sociology from the University of the South Pacific
University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students...
in Suva
Suva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
, Fiji, and a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Defence and Security Analysis from Lancaster University
Lancaster University
Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a leading research-intensive British university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964 and initially based in St Leonard's Gate until moving to a purpose-built 300 acre campus at...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He earned a Diploma in Security Studies from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
The is a United States Department of Defense regional study, conference, and research center established in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States on September 4, 1995. The Center supports the United States Pacific Command theater security cooperation strategy of maintaining positive security...
in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. He began his banking career with the ANZ in 1968.
Military career
Waqanisau left banking and joined the Army in 1976. His first senior appointment, from November 1984 to April 1986, was as Commanding Officer in the Fiji Battalion with UNIFIL peacekeeping troops in LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. In November 1986 he was promoted to Senior Operations Planning Officer with UNIFIL. He held this post until May 1987, when he was transferred to the Sinai
Sinai Peninsula
The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai is a triangular peninsula in Egypt about in area. It is situated between the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Red Sea to the south, and is the only part of Egyptian territory located in Asia as opposed to Africa, effectively serving as a land bridge between two...
, in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, serving till June 1988.
From August to October 1988, he was the Commanding Officer of the Army Training Group in Fiji. In November that year he was appointed Colonel Adjutant and Quarter-Master General in the Fiji Headquarters, and held this position till January 1991. In February, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General and appointed UNIFIL Chief of Staff. He remained in this position until March 1992. In April 1994, he became Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL; from February through May 1995, he acted as Force Commander. His last major posting was as Colonel Adjutant and Quarter-Master General in the Fiji Headquarters, from July 1995 through December 1996.
During his military career, Waqanisau also had two assignments as an attachment adviser. The first, in 1990, was as Military Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister's delegation to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. The second, in 1991, was as Adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs, concerning the review of Fiji's cooperative defence relationship with other Pacific countries.
Waqanisau's first diplomatic postings also came during his military service. From July 1992 to April 1994, he was posted as Counsellor to the Fiji Permanent Representative to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Mission in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In May 1993 he was Chargé d'Affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
to the UN Mission and then in December of the same year he held the same position at the Fijian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In 1994, the Department of Peacekeeping appointed him as Military Adviser to the United Nations Secretary General's Peace Envoy to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
Civil service career
Waqanisau's 19-year military career came to an end in 1996. He joined the civil service and served as Commissioner of FijiFiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
's Western Division
Western Division, Fiji
The Western Division of Fiji is one of Fiji's four divisions. It consists of the three provinces Ba, Nadroga-Navosa and Ra.The capital of the division is Lautoka. The division includes the western part of the largest island in Fiji, Viti Levu, with a few outlying islands, including the Yasawa...
from January 1997 through December 1998. In January 1999, he became Deputy Secretary for Regional Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs, and in September 2000, was appointed Permanent Secretary for National Reconciliataion and Unity, following the Fiji coup of 2000
Fiji coup of 2000
The Fiji coup of 2000 was a complicated affair involving a civilian putsch by hardline Fijian nationalists against the elected government of a non-native Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, on 19 May 2000, the attempt by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to assert executive authority on 27 May, and...
.
In January 2001, he became Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President of Fiji. He was transferred to the post of Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Immigration in February 2002, and held this post in 2002 and 2003. In January 2004, Waqanisau was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, and Disaster Management. He held this position until April 2004, when he was selected for his final appointment as the Fijian Ambassador to China.
Awards and decorations
Waqanisau received numerous civilian and military honours. He received the Fiji Independence MedalFiji Independence Medal
The Fiji Independence Medal was authorised by Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the granting of independence to Fiji to give recognition to individuals of the Armed Forces, Police Force, Prison Service, Aerodrome Fire Service, Forest Guards who were serving on the 10 October 1970 and members of...
in 1970, when Fiji received its independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The UNIFIL Peace Keeping Medal and the MFO Peace Keeping Medal (in 1978 and 1987, respectively) were for his contributions to peacekeeping in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
He received the Fiji Republic Medal in 1988 and of the General Service Medal
General Service Medal
The General Service Medal can refer to any one of the following medals:* General Service Medal * General Service Medal * General Service Medal * General Service Medal * New Zealand General Service Medal 1992...
in 1989; these were followed by the Meritorious Service Decoration (MSD)
Fijian honours system
The Fijian honours system dates from the granting of dominion status in 1970, when the Fijian Independence Medal was awarded to participants in the Fijian independence celebrations...
in 1991. In 1995, he received the Fiji Independence Anniversary Medal, to commemorate 25 years of independence. He was made an Officer of the Order of Fiji
Fijian honours system
The Fijian honours system dates from the granting of dominion status in 1970, when the Fijian Independence Medal was awarded to participants in the Fijian independence celebrations...
(OF)-Military Division in 1997, and a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(JP) in 2002.