SUVA, Fiji Islands (June 6, 2000 ‹ Pacific Media Watch/Pasifik
Nius/Niuswire)---A senior military officer and two other soldiers backing
Fiji rebel leader George Speight today heeded the army ultimatum and
returned to their barracks.
Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Viliame Volavola marched into Queen Elizabeth
barracks this afternoon after the Fiji Military Forces issued a deadline to
all army officers to return to camp, reported PACNEWS.
National radio reports said a further two officers had also met the
deadline.
Lt. Colonel Volavola, a member of the Fijian Association Party, had been
part of Speight's self-styled "Taukei Civilian government" with portfolio
responsibility for housing, urban development and environment.
Military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama had issued a deadline to all
military personnel in Parliament to return to the military headquarters by
3:00 p.m. today or have their commissions cancelled.
An estimated 19 soldiers were believed to still be in the complex.
PACNEWS reported that it understood six senior army officers were part of
Speight's rebel group.
They were named as Lieutenant Colonel Metuisela Mua, former head of Fiji's
Intelligence Service which was disbanded by the Chaudhry government; Lt.
Colonel Tevita Bukarau; Major Josefa Savua, the younger brother of Police
Commissioner Isikia Savua; Major Ilisoni Ligairi; and Lieutenant Rakuita
Vakalalabure.
Many businesses and institutions awaited the 3:00 p.m. deadline with
nervousness. The University of the South Pacific informed its staff that
they could leave their offices for home at lunchtime.
The Fiji Sun reported that former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry,
imprisoned with at least 31 other hostages since May 19, was likely to be
asked to lead a proposed breakaway "western government."
According to Navoci village chief Ratu Jone Ravetale, chiefs in the western
division of Viti Levu island wanted a democratically elected government and
the Chaudhy-led "people's coalition" was the "perfect one to
run its
affairs."
"We want his team to take care of the west," he told the Fiji Sun.
Ratu Jone, who is also part of the Tui Ba's delegation which announced the
idea of a western government in Viseisei at the weekend, said the chiefs and
the people of the west could not afford to see the toppling of the
democratically elected government.
In an editorial, the Fiji Sun said the military had given Speight an
ultimatum.
"Release members of the Chaudhry government and return all weapons to
the
FMF. All these for immunity," it said.
"There is a deadlock in talks."
"There is no doubt about the fact that sacrifices will have to be made.
They
(Speight and the rebels) will obviously not take this lying down.
"What happens then?"
The newspaper appealed to Fiji Islanders to consider solutions to end the
crisis - "it is time for the people of this nation to stand up to be
counted."
Title -- 2761 FIJI: Senior rebel officer meets military deadline
Date -- 6 June 2000
Byline ‹ None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- Pasifik Nius, 6/6/00
Copyright ‹ PN
Status ‹ Unabridged
+++niuswire
See updates and pictures: http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/
and: http://www.lookinglassdesign.com/wansolwara/wansol.html
Have your say: http://www.TheGuestBook.com/vgbook/109497.gbook
This text may have been edited to protect the writer.
This site is best viewed using Netscape 4.0 or higher.
Any problems or kind suggestions, please email: webmaster@lookinglassdesign.com
last revision June 6, 2000