Fiji's military government publicly hardened it position against the
coup leader George Speight yesterday, while continuing talks with him
on a deal to end the hostage crisis.
Mr Speight returned to the military barracks from his parliamentary
stronghold for day-long talks with the military ruler, Commodore
Frank Bainimarama, over his power in the next government. The
face-to-face talks resumed after a breakdown on Friday.
In his list of demands, Mr Speight called on the military to appoint a
president of his choice and to hand over all executive power to the
Great Council of Chiefs, where he believes he has significant support.
His demands included that the new president establish an interim
civilian government nominated by the council that would include
"nominees from George Speight's Group".
He also demanded amnesty for all his supporters for any criminal acts,
and that members of the military who were backing him be allowed to
return to their positions at the barracks.
Last night Mr Speight denied that any agreement was being obtained
under duress.
In a testy session with the foreign media, he snapped and said: "There
is no duress here. I could easily have shot these people. I am talking
Fijian to Fijian, and I don't expect Europeans in the press corps to
understand that."
The talks had been fruitful and would resume today, he said.
The 31 hostages, who yesterday finished their 17th day under guard at
Fiji's parliamentary complex, would be held until the process was over.
A military spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini, strongly
indicated yesterday that the military was baulking at Mr Speight's
demands.
"Mr Speight and his lot have come up with an over-simplistic solution
to the problem."
But at the same time, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarakinikini refused to
classify Mr Speight as a terrorist or a criminal, saying "the problem we
have at hand is politically motivated ... we cannot see it in a totally
criminal dimension".
As the talks continue, it has become clear the negotiations are centred
on wrangling over the balance of power in any new government. The
military is pressing for a government formed by a military council of
advisers in which Mr Speight and his supporters could play some part,
while Mr Speight is pushing for an interim civilian government where
his influence could be greater.
The sticking point is Mr Speight's demand that the deadlock be
negotiated by the Great Council of Chiefs.
However, neither the military nor the chairman of the council, Mr
Sitiveni Rabuka, favour this course.
Mr Rabuka said no meeting of the council had been called. He had
removed himself from the negotiations with Mr Speight because he
was being seen as a roadblock, he said.
The military also wanted the deal resolved between the military and Mr
Speight, not in the council, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarakinikini said.
But as the hostage crisis drags on, pressure is growing on the military
government over its concessions to Mr Speight with chiefs from the
economically rich western provinces threatening secession.
Representatives from the Commonwealth, including Australia, meeting
in London tomorrow are being pressed by members of the deposed
government of Mr Mahendra Chaudhry to impose sanctions on the
military government, increasing this pressure.
Despite this, the military and Mr Speight appear to be headed towards
some kind of accommodation.
This text may have been edited to protect the writer.
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