THE People's Coalition Government strongly opposes the announcement
of a civilian interim government by the Commander of the Fiji Military
Forces.
In a statement, coalition representatives, Pratap Chand and Dr Isimeli
Cokanasiga said they believe that this move does not serve the objective
of securing the safe and immediate release of the hostages, nor the
objective of a return to a constitutional and democratic government.
"Quite the reverse, this ill-advised move could jeopardise the safety
of the
hostages and compromise their safe release in the near future.
"It also runs contrary to the call of the nation and civil society for
a
political settlement that is within the framework of the 1997
Constitution," the statement said.
The coalition said such calls have been made by a wide range of
organisations including the Fiji Employers Federation, the Fiji-Australia
Business Council, the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industries,
Citizens Constitutional Forum, the National Council of Women, the Fiji
Trades Union Congress and the Fiji Women's Rights Movement.
The coalition believes the safe, immediate and unconditional release of
the hostages should have been the paramount concern and priority of the
military.
Fiji's Daily Post
THE interim civilian government will decide compensation for families
who were asked to move out of the military zone. Military spokesman
Lieutenant Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini revealed this early this week.
He said the military is trying to keep disruptions to people's everyday
lives to a minimum.
Lt Col Tarakinikini said that a lot of questions had been raised but these
could only be answered when the civilian government is in place.
When the Daily Post visited the zone where an estimation of 300 families
live, there was no clear indication to the people's reactions.
Some houses are completely bare and are patrolled by private security
guards watching over them.
In other parts of the zone, life goes on as normal whereas some families
even had soldiers help board up windows or move their belongings.
The zone begins from Veiuto Primary School past Cathedral Secondary
School, up Makuluva Road, Kavika Place and along the Leveti Creek
which runs behind Draiba Fijian School.
Fiji's Daily Post
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