THE Tui Namosi and his province do not support a Bose ni
Turaga convened by George Speight at the parliamentary
complex today. This has been confirmed by Tui Namosi's
spokesman, Ratu Ifereimi Buaserau.
He said the Tui Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua who is a
minister in the interim government does not support the meeting.
"We don't know who's calling the meeting and what the agenda
is," said Ratu Ifereimi. Ratu Matanitobua is one of the high
chiefs of Fiji and is also part of the Great Council of Chiefs'
meeting. Meanwhile, Ratu Ifereimi has warned Namosi people
to stay away from criminal activities. "We have told our people
to stop all acts of violence and other actions that will create more
problems for people of the country. We need to build this
country up, not destroy it," Ratu Ifereimi said.
"If one of our people is arrested, or gets hurt or even killed
because he or she was involved law breaking activities, the
province will shoulder the blame," he said. Recently people from
Nabukavesi, outside Navua blocked off the highway and the
road leading to the Namosi highlands protesting against the
shooting of a villager by soldiers last week Tuesday.
Fiji's Daily Post
Nine hostages were released early this morning between 1.00am and 1.30am.
Eighteen hostages still are kept captive.
The nine who were released are:
Leo Smith
Vinod Maharaj
Anand Singh
Pradhuman Raniga
Bill Aull
Anup Kumar
Prince Gopal Latchman
Deo Narayan
Shiu Sharan Sharma
Freed men stable says doc
Wednesday, July 12, 2000, 9 am
The nine hostages released today seemed to be in a stable
condition, according to the doctor who attended to them, Dr
Bhagat Ram.
Dr Bhagat said some of the men were his patients even before
they were taken into captivity and he refused to discuss their
medical status.
"They looked stable on the whole and were eager to go home,"
was all he would say.
There is discontent among rebel leaders in the Parliamentary Complex regarding
the
unexpected release of the hostages.
Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party leader Iliesa Duvuloco told
local radio station FM96 he was upset that he wasn't informed
about the planned release.
"I am very disappointed that such a big decision cannot be
discussed among us - not only the people supporting the cause
but even those of us who are very senior in some capacity. "We
think some of these things should be discussed.
I was sleeping only 22 yards away from George and them and
we don't even know. "I think it's basic courtesy so we know too.
We don't want second hand information from the news media.
Otherwise the left hand does not know what the right hand is
doing. "I didn't know they had been released and that for me is
totally unfair. While the nine were released, the other 18 were
still here.
If you want to release nine, you might as well release everybody.
"It's only one day before the Great Council of Chiefs. Why can't
they wait so all hostages can be released at the same time. We
have to treat them equally. "I don't know who made this decision
but they have to explain themselves publicly. It's discrimination
on their part and it's unfair on me."
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