FAILED coup leader George Speight and his partners on on Nukulau island may
face court proceedings on the island.
Army spokesman Major Howard Politini said magistrates and court officers may
travel to Nukulau to press charges.
Speight and the group who have been detained since Wednesday last week faces
charges of unlawful assembly and others relating to
firearms.
They are expected to be charged this afternoon or tomorrow.
Fiji's Daily Post
The Australian government is making moves to cancel Jim Speight's Australian
passport.
The younger brother of rebel leader George Speight has been informed of this
by Australian foreign affairs officials and has been given 14
days respond as why his passport should not be cancelled.
Jim took part in the May 19 overthrow of the Mahendra Chaudhry government and
is detained at the Quem Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua. A
letter was delivered to him at Nabua stating the Australian government's intentions
and the reasons behind it.
The Australian Foreign Act states that an Australian passport can be cancelled
if the holder commits an offence outside Australia.
The cancellation of his passport is not expected to affect his Australian citizenship
High Commission officials in Suva say Jim can still travel
to Australia after his release but under restricted travel documents Travelling
out of Australia, however, will pose a problem for him as he will
not be issued another Australian passport.
The High Commissions offer of consular services to Speight still stands.
THE Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei is non existent, a party stalwart revealed
yesterday.
Speaking in his capacity as a board member and long time SVT supporter, he
said there has been a big turn-round in the party's direction.
"I can only say that there are elements in the party who are distorting
information, and this paints a very bad image on the party which was
once supported by indigenous Fijians," he said.
"As for me, I am staying out of the party activities and if the trend
does not change, then there will be no SVT come the next general
elections."
A recent statement by SVT general secretary, Jone Banuve deplored the move
by the Interim Government to create a substantive post for
former President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
Fiji's Daily Post
The army is still not in full control in Vanua Levu despite the arrest of over
70 rebels.
Criminals are still in possession of various types of weapons and are avoiding
arrest.
But confidence in the North is slowly returning, says army spokesman, Major
Howard Politini. "It will grow and people will be a lot more at
peace with the military present in large numbers," he said.
About 100 soldiers were deployed to the North because of continued arrest.
A rebel died yesterday following an exchange of gunfire with the military.
Five rebels were arrested after they shot and injured a cane farm labourer.
There will be no giving ground by the military to restore order in Vanua Levu.
Military spokesman, Major Howard Politini says 76 people have been arrested
and detained.
Searches are continuing for rebels who fled to the bushes.
The trouble spots have been identified as Labasa, Savusavu, Dreketi and Seaqaqa.
A large number of people are involved in criminal activities, according to Politini. Civilians in the area are relieved by the military presence, he said.
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