Fiji edging closer to drama
“The military is willing to return and complete for this nation the responsibilities we gave this government in 2000 and 2001,” military chief Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said.
This chilling quote was made yesterday as the Island paradise braces itself for a return to the trying days of the George Speight inspired 2000 coup.
Mr Bainimarama’s behaviour has grown erratic in the past month as he has called for Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase’s government to resign. He says the government is trying to free those behind the 2000 coup which overthrew the government of prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry.
“The Qarase government was continuing to adopt racist policies and programmes to justify its existence to the indigenous community”, Mr Bainimarama said. He believes the policies were hurting the populace and were divisive.
“If they lack the moral strength and the courage to continue the good fight, the military is willing to return and complete for this nation the responsibilities we gave this government in 2000 and 2001.”
Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has banned his ministers from commenting, his office issuing a directive ordering his ministers to observe a “dignified silence” on the government’s feud with the military.
“The only minister who may comment on the matter is the minister for home affairs and immigration as the RFMF (Republic of Fiji Military Forces) is part of his portfolio’s responsibilities,” the directive said.
Fiji is due to hold general elections later this year.
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