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PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT
Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

MILITARY ISSUES ULTIMATUM TO SPEIGHT
By Joe Yaya

SUVA, Fiji Islands (June 5, 2000 - Pasifik Nius/Niuswire)---Fiji military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama today issued
an ultimatum to rebel leader George Speight and his supporters to release the hostages and lay down their arms.

In return, they would receive an amnesty from the military council, which is now the executive authority in the nation under
martial law.

This follows the latest round of talks between Speight and the military ending in a deadlock.

Speight's group is demanding that they be included in the interim civilian government, apart from the amnesty offered to them.

Commodore Bainimarama said in a national address this afternoon that the military would not entertain any more demands made
by Speight.

He said that the mandate of the military was to restore normalcy to the lives of the people in Fiji.

He also pointed out that Speight and his men could not be included in the interim civilian government because of the local and
international backlash Fiji would receive if this were allowed.

The main points of Commodore Bainimarama's speech:

• "I would like to state that there has been a deadlock in talks between the RFMF and George Speight
  and his men."
  
• "The military council and the RFMF is firm on its stand in the resolutions that we have passed to
  Speight and his men to release the hostages and return all arms and ammunition. In return, we will
  grant them amnesty."
  
• "Our mandate is to bring back normalcy to our lives, and as such, we will not entertain any more
  demands by George Speight and his men."
  
• "We would like them to leave, have the hostages released, return their arms so we can bring back
  some normalcy into our lives."
  
• "We have stated to Speight and his men that they cannot be included in the interim government for
  the reason that we will receive backlash from both the local and overseas communities."
  

Title -- 2757 FIJI: Military issues ultimatum to Speight
Date -- 5 June 2000
Byline -- Joe Yaya
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- Pasifik Nius, 5/6/00
Copyright ? PN
Status - Unabridged
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