back to new archives for 3-5 June 2000
Australian Broadcasting Co.
This Bulletin: Sat, 3 Jun 2000 14:17 AEST
Western Fijians to break away from
Speight's leadership

Western Fijians are mobilising a movement to break away from the
country's eastern region, in response to the coup led by rebel leader,
George Speight.

Many indigenous Fijians in the west are completely opposed to Mr
Speight.

'George is a terrorist and belongs in prison, not in the position of prime
minister': so reads a placard on a road into Nandi, western Fiji's
economic capital.

'We worship God, not satan', reads another sign.

They are signs of bitter opposition to George Speight's successful
assassination of Fijian democracy.

Today at the village of Viseisei, indigenous Fijians will hold a rally
condemning George Speight's coup and the military takeover.

They are calling instead for the re-instatement of Mahendra
Chaudhry's elected ministers, without that solution they want to set up
their own administration.

Meanwhile, negotiations are set to continue today between Mr
Speight and Fiji's military president, Frank Bainimarama.

Mr Speight has said he plans to release his 30 hostages this
weekend, and that Fiji's tribal chiefs will then have a final say on
ending the political stand-off.

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