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SUVA: Fiji newspapers today splashed reports of mounting "smart
sanctions" against Fiji in protest over the proposed cabinet line-up
which includes two key leaders of George Speight's rebel gang and at
least three other Taukei movement hardliners.
But the planned swearing-in of the new interim government today was
postponed - with officials saying President Ratu Josefa Iloilo was "not
feeling well".
The 32-member interim government was to have been sworn-in this morning
at Borron House.
Both of rebel nominees Ratu Timoci Silatolu (Assistant Minister for
Health) and Simione Kaitani (Assistant Minister for Regional Development
and Multi Ethnic Affairs) did not attend.
Nor did Apisai Tora, leader of the Taukei movement which fuelled the
destabilisation of Fiji leading to the May 19 overthrow of elected Prime
Minister Mahendra Chaudhry's Labour-led coalition government, turn up.
Condemning the line-up, Speight told the Fiji Times that releasing the
names without consulting his rebels was "dangerous".
He warned that the administration could expect a backlash.
On Fiji Television last night he said he had been "betrayed".
Speight's supporters left the parliamentary complex today and headed for
Kalabo, a village outside Suva with strong affinity to Naitasiri, the
rebels' provincial base.
Radio reports said the rebels burned several government cars before
leaving.
The military moved into the complex and set up heavily armed positions.
They also inspected the area for bombs and damage.
A photographer described the complex after the rebels' departure in a
bus convoy as a "pigsty that no longer looks like a Parliament".
"Seven cars were burned, but the four-wheel-drive Pajero used by the
former prime minister was still intact," she said.
The Daily Post reported that New Zealand would not be offering Fiji
students any more scholarships under its Overseas Development Assistance
(NZODA) scheme.
"There are currently 132 students from Fiji on scholarships in New
Zealand who may soon be sent home with a range of sanctions being
imposed," the paper said.
The Daily Post cited Miriam Leacock, who is charge of the NZODA
programme at the New Zealand High Commission, as saying there were 34
bilateral; students, 91 students on the Aotearoa scheme and seven
postgraduate students on scholarships.
Australia yesterday announced cancellation of most non-humanitarian aid
programmes to Fiji among limited sanctions stopping short of major trade
bans that could devastate its economy.
Speight has been banned from entering Australia, where his two children
now live.
+++niuswire
Title -- 2845 FIJI: Sanctions splashed as cabinet swearing-in postponed
Date -- 19 July 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- Pasifik Nius, USP, 19/7/00
Copyright -- USP Journalism
Status -- Unabridged
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last revision July 21, 2000