The American Ambassador, Osman Siddique, paid a courtesy call on the Commander
and Head of the Interim Military Government, Commodore Voreqe at the Republic
of Fiji Military Forces headquarters in Nabua this afternoon.
The visit was brief, however, because Commodore Bainimarama was just leaving
for another round of negotiations with George Speight and his men.
The Fiji Trade Union Congress also paid a courtesy call on Commodore Bainimarama.
The group consisting of National President, Daniel Ural, National Secretary
Felix Anthony and executive members of the FTUC called on Commodore Bainimarama
to express their support for the interim Military administration.
Also present were members from the Fijian Teachers Association, Fiji Teachers
Union, FEA Workers Union, Fiji Hotel Workers Union, Telcom Workers Union, Fiji
Public Service Association, Fiji Aviation Workers Association, Public Employers
Union, National Urn of Factory Workers, Tropik Woods. Fiji Bank and Finance
sectors union.
The group visited to show their personal support and that of their members,
the majority of whom work and reside in the greater Suva area.
Both delegations were met by senior Army officers including former Prime Minister,
Major General Sitiveni Rabuka, former Force Commander of UNIFIL Major
General, George Konrote former Commanders, Brigadier General Ratu Epeli Ganilau and Brigadier General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau other senior officers.
Talks are continuing between Ratu Timoci Silatolu - representative of the George
Speight group, and the military at a secret location.
It is understood negotiations are centred on the hostage release and amnesty
for Speight's group. However Speight's media advisor, Jo Nata told Sydney Morning
Herald that Speight's continuing demands includes an influential role in the
new interim government in order to steer Fiji in the direction of indigenous
Fijian supremacy.
Nata said Speight's group don't want things to be derailed by people who have
no commitment to the cause especially after putting their lives on the line
and taking risks. Earlier today, Speight rejected the appointment of Ratu Epeli
Nailatikau as Interim Prime Minister.
Meanwhile the Military have also deferred the announcement of an Interim Government.
Commodore Frank Bainimarama says until the situation calms down, only then will
they name and swear in members of the IMG.
The Australian Immigration minister says the Government will not be opening
its doors to Indo-Fijians because they were not at risk of persecution. Philip
Ruddock said the military takeover in Fiji did not give rise to a general entitlement
to refugee status.
He said the situation differed to that of Kosovar refugees whose lives were
directly threatened by an advancing army. Ruddock said the government would
however monitor the situation in the event that persecution demanded a response
from the government.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Foriegn Affairs minister, Phil Goff says the Fiji
military is aware of the threat of international sanctions by returning to a
race-based constitution but will take that risk to get the hostages released.
He said New Zealand had made it clear to Fiji that such a move would have consequences,
which could range from political and diplomatic to sporting sanctions. Goff
said their response is, they know that the international community will treat
them as pariahs if they make those changes, but at the present time, international
pressure is less important to them than domestic considerations.
The New Zealand Foriegn Affairs minister said the military are focused on the
hostage situation and that they working with one gun to their head, that of
George Speight's.
There is no mob coming into Suva city or causing any disturbances around the
capital. That is the official word from the Home Affairs ministry and this was
confirmed by our roving reporters a few minutes ago. Please stay calm.
The head of security at Parliament, only known as Ligairi, has told George
Speight supporters at Veiuto that they do not condone any acts of violence and
vandalism.
He has called on them to behave in the Taukei way which is dignified and calm.
Reports we have recieved from the check points at roads leading toward and out
of Veiuto is that, the guards are letting residents through and stopping people
who are coming from Parliament.
It is understood a number of youths were arrested at the Bowling Club check
point this afternoon.
The Chair of the Boselevu Vakaturaga, Sitiveni Rabuka is preparing for the
Great Council of Chiefs meeting tomorrow.
Rabuka has confirmed that he is no longer a mediator between Speight and President
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Speight announced last night that he no longer trusted
Rabuka. A European man is now relaying messages between the President and George
Speight, who still holds Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his government
members hostage at the parliament complex.
Speight announced another press conference for earlier this morning, but so
far it is has not been held. We will have news from that conference as it occurs.
Speight has also announced that he will allow journalists to meet captive Prime
Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry and his government members later today. He has also
said all of his so-called government ministers will occupy their relevant ministry
offices later today.
Meanwhile the President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara currently head of State under
an Emergency Decrees, is expected to issue another press statement soon.
The streets of the capital are relatively quiet today. People are trying to
get money from ATM machines, and merchants can bee seen cleaning their shops
and the streets around their shops. There is a strong police presence in Suva,
with police manning barricades every few streets.
This text may have been edited to protect the writer.
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