The Fijian hostages held for almost two weeks by gunmen may soon
be freed, according to the country's military.
The military government last night announced "a major breakthrough"
in the first face-to-face talks between rebel leader George Speight and
armed forces chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
A military spokesman, Captain Eroni Volavola, last night indicated that
the deposed government of former prime minister Mahendra
Chaudhry, held hostage in Suva's parliamentary complex for the past
two weeks, could be released within 36 hours. "I definitely believe we
have made a major breakthrough tonight," he said.
"I think we can say almost for certain that in the next 36 hours things
will start to improve regarding the hostages and also hurry up the
formation of an interim government."
He expected a definitive statement on timing today.
He also said it was possible that Speight supporters could be included in a
new government.
An army bus had transported Mr Speight and his bodyguards about 5pm local time
to army
headquarters in Suva from the parliamentary compound where more than 30 hostages
are held.
Witnesses said the mood of army officers was relaxed and casual as they escorted
Mr Speight and his
aides on to the bus.
The move to army headquarters followed a session of talks between a large group
of senior military
officers and Mr Speight inside the parliamentary compound.
Earlier this week Mr Speight had refused to meet Commodore Bainimarama saying
he was " a lost
cause". But last night the two men shared a bowl of kava after talks between
Mr Speight and the
military government's full council broke up just before 9pm.
"They are now drinking grog with members of Mr Speight's team, senior
officers and members of the
Great Council of Chiefs," Captain Volavola said.
The details of any peace deal were unclear, apart from Captain Volavola's hint
that Speight supporters
might join an interim civilian government to take over when the military regime
stood aside. "The
possibility is there," he said.
Commodore Bainimarama has already conceded Mr Speight most of his claims -
abandoning the
country's 1997 constitution, the removal of President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
and an amnesty for his
original band of hostage-takers.
The final sticking point is the composition of the government that will formulate
a new constitution.
Mr Speight wants indigenous Fijians to be guaranteed a majority of parliamentary
seats, at the expense
of Indian Fijians who make up 43per cent of the population.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Speight's supporters clashed with police at a road block
near the parliamentary
complex. Four men were arrested.
Last night's meeting got under way after Mr Speight earlier widened his demands.
In return for the
release of the hostages he wanted a general amnesty for crimes committed by
his supporters, including
the murder of a policeman.
The military government, in an attempt to win the release of the hostages seized
two weeks ago today,
had offered Mr Speight and six gunmen an amnesty for their seizure of parliament
but nothing else.
Mr Speight told a news conference in the parliament complex that he believed
the amnesty should
apply to all acts committed after May 19.
He also rejected military proposals for the future government, saying they
would give the armed forces
too much say for too long.
"Effectively we are looking at a scenario proposed by the military where
they are in power and ruling
over Fiji for years," he said.
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