There is no sign of an end to Fiji's political turmoil, with the military deferring
the creation of a new ministry to concentrate on resolving the country's
hostage crisis.
The military and representatives of the rebels who are holding the
captives in the National Palriament have held numerous meetings over the
past 24 hours, but so far no progress has been reported.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Lateline's Chris Clark, coup leader
George Speight has dimissed international concerns for the safety of the
hostages.
"I mean everybody is so caught up with the plight of the hostages they've
forgotten about the plight of the Fijians, which have been suppressed for
at least 12 months and certainly the last five years, and there are 490,000
of us," he said.
Fiji's military regime has deferred the appointment of an interim civilian
government.
The military Government says it will not appoint civilian ministers until after
the parliamentary hostage crisis, begun 13 days ago by George Speight
and a group of gunmen, is resolved.
Fiji's military president, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says the climate
is not right to appoint civilian ministers to serve his administration.
Cmdr Bainimarama says military rule will continue until the 30 hostages are
released and all weapons gathered by Mr Speight's group are returned.
The military and Mr Speight's group had four hours of negotiations this
afternoon but no progress was reported.
However, Fiji's new military leader says he will not use force to free the
hostages being held by armed rebels inside Parliament.
Cmdr Bainimarama says it is not an option at the moment.
"We are continuing dialogue with Speight and his men.
"Last night, my senior officers returned and it seems that they keep
avoiding the issue of hostages.
"We want to tell them that there's no need to hold those people as
hostages. They're no longer the government," he said.
Tensions rose early in the day when Mr Speight's supporters emerged
from Parliament and hijacked nine cars.
Because of the recent riots and looting that caused most offices and shops
in Suva to close early.
Fiji's new military President says his regime will face major repercussions
from the international community.
But Commodore Frank Bainimarama says he will remain President for up
to three years to re-write the constitution before an election.
Meanwhile, talks between the military and rebel leader George Speight
have stalled.
Commodore Bainimarama says he wanted to have a personal meeting
with George Speight today, but it had been refused.
Mr Speight's spokesman accused the military leader of acting in bad faith
by appointing a new Prime Minister who is the son-in-law of the deposed
president Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
Commodore Bainimarama says the international community will punish
Fiji's military regime.
"I know there'll be a lot of international repercussions that will go
along with
what we have done," he said.
Tensions have risen in Suva with a rash of car-jackings by supporters of
the rebel leader George Speight.
They have seized nine cars from around the parliament area.
The military responded by putting extra cordons around the parliament
and restricting movement from the city to the parliament area.
Meanwhile, Fijian organisations in Australia have called for the Australian
Government to immediately impose sanctions against Fiji.
Several hundred members of the organisations rallied outside federal
parliament in support of democracy in Fiji.
Delegates from the organisations are meeting the Foreign Affairs Minister,
Alexander Downer, this afternoon.
Anil Singh from the Movement for Democracy, says they will explain the
need for the Australian Government to take action now.
"Impose the sanctions now so that they will realise that what they are
doing
is wrong, and this is not the way to overthrow governments.
"You do it through the ballot box, not through the barrel of the gun,"
he
said.
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