A large estate on Taveuni leased to 40 farmers has been taken
over by Qeleni landwoners.
The landowners have blocked the entrances to the farm and are
refusing tenants access to their yaqona and dalo crops within,
estimated to be about $1 million.
The tenant farmers are asking to be allowed in to tend their plots
while the landowners continue their negotiations with police.
Some "monopolistic" Indo-Fijian businessmen secretly funded
the protest marches and other activities to destabilise the People's
Coalition government, according to deposed prime minister,
Mahendra Chaudhry.
"I believe there is a list on which there are some 85 people
including some very prominent businessmen, including Indian
businessmen," said Chaudhry at a press conference today.
His government, he said, was aware of even before the May 19
attempted coup that certain sections of the "monopolistic"
businesses were secretly funding these operations. Chaudhry
did not mention names.
Rebel supporters still at the parliamentary complex have been
warned to move in the next 48 hours.
Army spokesman Howard Politini says with the release of the
hostages and the surrender of arms, there was no need for
anyone to remain at the complex.
World from parliament is that the group is getting ready for a
mass clean-up to take place after the funeral of rebel supporter
Kulinio Tabua, who died in a crossfire between the army and the
rebels. There are moves to erect a plaque in parliament in
memory of the villager
The military says that while rebels at the Parliamentary Complex
have handed in all weapons, they are waiting for more arms to be
returned to the army camp.
The military is waiting for a feedback from the police about the
number of weapons they have confiscated during the past few
weeks, army spokesman Lt-Col Filipo Tarakinikini told radio
station FM96. "Once we get that later today we will then finalise
the deficiencies if there are any,"
Tarakinikini says that so far everything is going on schedule and
he is quite satisfied with what's happening
Yesterday, rebels at the parliamentary complex surrendered their
arms to the military after being officially granted amnesty.
The weapons included 14 pistols, 20 uzis, eight M203, six colts,
four machine guns, six MP5, coils of rope, sniper camouflage
wear, abseiling gloves, walkie talkies, scores of rifle magazines,
binoculars, grenades and launchers.
Tarakinikini representing the military took them back to the
barracks. A detailed inventory check of all weapons was made
last night and some were found missing.
Because not all arms have been recovered the military will
continue to maintain security measures.
The military has extended the emergency decree for a further 14
days which came into effect yesterday. Checkpoints, curfews
and military operations will continue.
The Fiji Military Forces Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit's
future is in doubt.
Seven members of the elite unit took part in the May 19 takeover
and confinement of the People's Coalition government.
The status of the unit is under review. Army Spokesman,
Howard Politini said the unit could be disbanded.
The CRW was trained by former SAS trainer Ilisoni Ligairi,
who gave the seven rebel soldiers the order to execute the
attempted coup.
One of the ironies is that the crack unit is trained for
counter-revolutionary warfare and to contain internal
disturbances and destabilising forces.
Politini says "the function will not be abolished but
re-organised. All seven members of the unit will be re-instated in
the army under the Muanikau Accord.
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