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SUVA: Fiji military forces today stormed the rebel headquarters at a
school on the outskirts of Suva and seized leaders of the insurrection
in what the army described as a "mopping up" operation.
Military spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Filipe Tarakinikini told Radio
Fiji that one rebel had died, and 40 were wounded with no casualties
among the soldiers.
He said 369 rebels and supporters had been arrested - including leader
George Speight and several of his key lieutenants. They were being
detained at several centres around the capital of Suva.
Tarakinikini said that only seven of the casualties were seriously
wounded. One 50-year-old rebel had died in the Colonial War Memorial
Hospital from suffocation and other complications after suffering a
heart attack during the operation.
The colonel stressed that casualties were not from gunshot reports as he
had said in earlier reports.
The hospital's emergency wing was closed to the public and heavily
guarded by police and troops.
Tarakinikini said the rebel strategist, Colonel Ilisoni Ligairi, the
police commissioner's brother, decommissioned Major Josefa Savua, and 12
soldiers from the elite Meridian squadron were among those captured by
troops.
The Daily Post reported today that a senior police officer had been with
Speight's group yesterday "trying to negotiate a portfolio in the new
civilian government". The newspaper did not name the officer but he was
widely alleged to be Police Commissioner Isikia Savua.
The paper said a group of senior civil servants, including a permanent
secretary and a group of indigenous lawyers, had been meeting regularly
to help Speight and the rebels to "map out strategies".
Several senior servants were likely to lose their jobs because of
questions over their "loyalty and involvement" in the rebellion, the
paper said.
Tarakinikini said the military action started about 6 am today against
the remnants of rebel leader George Speight's gang because they had been
"terrorising residents in the area" and stealing money and goods from
shops.
He also said on Radio Fiji there had been a death threat yesterday
against the interim President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo.
The president had been expected to name a new interim government
yesterday and is now expected to name this today.
Caretaker Finance Minister Ratu Jone Yavala Kubuabola is likely to
announce a mini-budget this afternoon to deal with the crisis. With an
estimated deficit of $200 million, the budget is expected to steer the
country until the end of December.
Tarakinikini said this morning's raid on the rebels was part of a series
of "mopping up" operations planned for the next few days to end the
lawlessness in the country and return Fiji to normalcy.
"We cannot allow a group to use the name of indigenous rights for their
own selfish ends," Tarakinikini said.
He said Speight's gang had "brought shame to the name of Fiji".
But he pledged that the interim government would address long-standing
grievances over indigenous rights throughout the country.
Late last night, Speight, two of his key advisers and a bodyguard were
arrested by troops at a checkpoint near the rebel headquarters, Kalabu
Fijian School
The four were seized under martial law which means they can be detained
longer than 24 hours before charges are made.
Tarakinikini said they had been arrested after soldiers stopped them at
the Laqere bridge checkpoint when they were carrying arms in violation
of the Muanikau Accord.
The terms of the amnesty under the accord - which granted Speight and
his followers immunity for crimes linked with the May 19 insurrection -
did not apply as the rebels had not handed all weapons to the military
after the end of the 60-day Parliament siege.
Speight had signed the accord with the military commander, Commodore
Frank Bainimarama two weeks ago.
"The Immunity Decree called for the release of all hostages, and the
return of all weapons to the military," Tarakinikini said.
Tarakinikini also said there had been many reports of lawlessness and
harassment by the rebels in the area near Kalabu School.
"Mr Speight was travelling with arms and bodyguards. This is illegal.
We
cannot allow private militia to run the country," he said on local
radio.
Education Ministry authorities closed schools today in Nasinu, near the
rebel area, according to Radio Fiji.
Speight was arrested with his lawyer, Tevita Bukurau, media adviser Jo
Nata and his personal bodyguard, known only as Cakau, at the Laqere
bridge along the road corridor from Suva to the airport town of Nausori.
Tarakinikini said Speight and his bodyguards had been sighted several
times travelling around Suva with arms.
A witness told the Fiji Sun the four failed to stop at the Nausori end
of the bridge when asked to get out by soldiers.
"Shots were fired before the four were asked to get out of their
four-wheel-drive vehicle," the paper quoted the witness as saying.
"They were later escorted to the army camp at Nabua where they are now
under arrest."
Tarakinikini confirmed Speight was under arrest "in a cell up at Nabua".
+++niuswire
Title -- 2866 FIJI: Military storm rebels - 1 dead, 40 wounded (updated)
Date -- 27 July 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- Radio Fiji/Fiji Sun/FM96/PN, 27/7/00
Copyright -- RF/FS/FM96/PN
Status -- Unabridged
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