The Fijian rebel leader, George Speight, says he will accept the
appointment of ethnic Indians to the country's next government.
The throwing out of the 1997 constitution - which gives equal
representation to ethnic Indians - was one of Mr Speight's key demands.
He says he has also accepted, during talks with Fiji's military rulers, that
former vice-president Ratu Josefa Iloilo, an indigenous Fijian, should be
the next president.
Mr Speight has also said he was optimistic his 31 hostages, including
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, could be released soon.
Talks on the makeup of the interim administration are continuing for a
second day in Suva.
Fiji's coup leader George Speight says he will accept the inclusion of
Indo-Fijians in an interim civilian government.
Mr Speight has been engaged in talks with military leaders over the
make-up of an interim government to take effect as soon as he releases
his hostages.
Mr Speight has proposed about 30 nominees, all indigenous Fijians,
some of whom the military has accepted.
But he is prepared to allow one or two Indo-Fijians into the government.
"Our recommendations that the interim military government, or rather the
interim civilian government, make-up be a combination of selections from
us, selections from the army, and selections from the great council of chiefs,
as well as some appointees by the president to be appointed," Mr Speight
said.
"It is possible that the President will appoint some of our brothers and
sisters from the other ethnic communities.
"If that be the case we'll accept it," he said.
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