25 Dreketi villagers from Qamea took over Laucala Island resort off Taveuni
late last night.
The manager and his assistant have been detained by them. Its not know what
they want.
Laucala Island is a private island owned by Publishing Billionaire, the late
Malcolm Forbes who died a number of years ago.
Meanwhile, Ruruku resort on Ovalau was taken over by the landowners.
Details are sketchy. However we were informed that no hostages are being held.
The military has yet to receive word on the incidents.
In Taveuni, an estate owner, Spencer Tarte is meeting with Navakawau villagers
who have come to him asking that he return 300 acres of their
land.
Its understood that 60 years ago Tarte had asked that he use 300 acres for
his copra plantation.
Sources from Taveuni say yesterday afternoon, 66 villagers started erecting
sheds on Vatuvitri estate. Meanwhile Tarte has refused to
comment until after he has met with protesting villagers.
The people of Veiseisei Village in are helping military guard the
Vuda Oil terminal and the FEA National Control Center.
According to reports a military spokesperson said they had total
support from the West.
However the military in the west also had some grievances from
Namoli Villagers which has been relayed to the military
headquarters.
Ra high chief, the Tui Navitilevu, Ratu Tevita Bolobolo was
detained by rebels for two hours in Korovou, Tailevu today.
Bolobolo, on his way to the district chiefs meeting in the
parliamentary complex, was 'arrested' and kept in a police cell by
rebels who had taken over Korovou town.
Another chief travelling with Bolobolo made it to the complex
and had the rebel leaders send a letter to the rebels in Korovou
to release Bolobolo.
Bolobolo, in an interview on Radio Fiji, said the order to detain
him was given by a Ra chief.
He said it was beyond his comprehension why he was detained.
University of the South Pacific academic Professor Asesela
Ravuvu is attempted coup leader George Speight's nominee for
the chair of the constitutional review committee. The nominees
are:
Asesela Ravuvu (chairman), Ro Filipe Tuisawau (Rewa), Ratu
Osea Gavidi (Nadroga), Metuisela Mua (Lau), Ropate Qalo
(Cakaudrove), Petero Rasiosateki (Bua), Ateca Williams
(Lomaiviti), Maika Qarikau (Cakaudrove), Ratu Kinijioji
Maivalili (Cakaudrove), Ratu Aca Soqosoqo (Kadavu), Ratu
Meli Loki (Naitasiri), Mere Samisoni (Lau), Ratu Inoke
Kubuabola (Cakaudrove) and Apisai Tora (Ba).
Ratu Epeli Kanaimawi, a chief who was asked to negotiate the
release of the hostages from Parliament, is believed to be
attempted coup leader George Speight's nominee for Prime
Minister.
Speight is staying with the Tui Vuda, Ratu Josefa Iloilo as
President and nominated two Vice Presidents, Ratu Jope Seniloli
and Ratu Tevita Vakalalabure.
Iloilo is from the West while Seniloli is from Tailevu and
Vakalalabure is from the North. The nominations are aimed at
splitting the top positions between the three traditional
confederacies of Kubuna, Tovata and Burebasaga. Kanaimawi is
from Tovata.
The Speight Cabinet, announced following a meeting of the
300-strong Bose ni Turaga at Parliament today, has an obvious
nationalistic leaning and will be proposed to the Great Council
of Chiefs meeting in Suva tomorrow.
It is similar to the nationalist first cabinet announced following
the 1987 military coup. This was changed to accommodate more
accomplished politicians later.
Tomorrow's GCC meeting is expected to be a fiery one and is
likely to consider other nominees for President, including Bau's
Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi and former Prime Minister Sitiveni
Rabuka.
It is unlikely all members of Speight's proposed cabinet will be
appointed by the new President or Prime Minister.
The Speight cabinet has 22 ministers:
Prime Minister - Ratu Epeli Kanaimawi (Cakaudrove)
Attorney General and Justice - Matebalavu Rabo (Tailevu)
Finance and National Planning- Eroni Mavoa (Lau)
Fijian Affairs - Ratu Inoke Takiveikata (Naitasiri)
Foreign Affairs and External Trade - Kaliopate Tavola (Kadavu)
Trade, Commerce and Public Enterprises - Navitalai Naisoro (Kadavu)
Home Affairs and Immigration - Ratu Tevita Bukarau (Rewa)
Communications and Transport - Ratu Timoci Silatolu (Rewa)
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests - Ratu Josefa Dimuri (Macuata)
Civil Aviation - Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure (Cakaudrove)
Lands and Mineral Resources - Maika Qarikau (Cakaudrove)
Tourism - Viliame Gavoka (Nadroga)
Works and Energy - Iliesa Duvuloco (Tailevu)
ALTA and Sugar - Eroni Lewaqai (Ba)
Regional Development - Isireli Leweniqila (Macuata)
Labour and Industrial Relations - Poate Mata (Naitasiri)
Education, Science and Technology - Peceli Rinakama (Naitasiri)
Housing and Urban Development - Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu (Cakaudrove)
Youth and Sports - Simione Kaitani (Lomaiviti)
Health - Dr Viliame Sausauwai
Women, Culture and Ethnic Affairs - Adi Litia Cakobau (Tailevu)
Information and Media - Josefa Nata (Lau)
Speight has also proposed nine assistant ministers:
PM's Office - Adi Makalesi Tavaiqia (Ba)
Works and Energy - Ratu Simione Drole (Navosa)
Health and Social Services - Lolohea Seru (Ra)
Education, Science and Technology - Ratu Romanu Matanitobua (Namosi)
Communications and Transport - Viliame Savu (Lau)
Fijian Affairs - Ratu Epenisa Cakobau (Tailevu)
Lands and Mineral Resources - Mitieli Bulanauca (Bua)
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests - Lepani Tonitonivanua (Serua)
Youth and Sports - Peceli Vuniwa (Ra)
The Tui Ba, Ratu Sairusi Nagagavoka is refusing to attend the
Great Council of Chief, saying he was not happy with the way
the meeting has been convened.
Nagagavoka claims the chiefs will be under duress to make a
decision because of their concern for the hostages, the shattered
economy and other coup related unrest.
The chiefs should meet only when the hostages are released and
when coup leader George Speight and his group return all arms,
he says.
Nagagavoka also says Speight has made a mockery of the
chiefly system by rejecting the GCC resolutions.
The resolutions included supporting the then President, Ratu Sir
Kamisese Mara and retaining the 1997 Constitution albeit
changes to address the grievances of indigenous Fijians.
Meanwhile, there are only four items on the GCC agenda for
tomorrow's meeting.
The first two are related - the appointment of the President and
the appointment of a Vice President.
The third item calls for the report of the GCC sub-committee
which related the GCC resolutions from the May sitting to the
rebels.
The sub-committee, headed by Ratu Epeli Kanaimawi, was also
involved in negotiations between the military and the rebels in
the earlier stages of the coup.
The negotiation involvement was controversial with questions raised on the
role the sub-committee was
playing.
The last item is a report from interim prime minister Laisenia Qarase on what
his Cabinet has done to
address the grievances raised by the indigenous people.
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