24 Dec 2003

Fiji military expresses more concerns about failure to deal with coup perpetrators

2:22 pm on 24 December 2003

Fiji's military has expressed serious concern at the failure to bring certain highly placed personalities to justice for their involvement in the coup.

Fiji TV says in its strongest statement yet, the military has also expressed concern at plans to reduce sentences and grant pardons.

The military says these actions will create a precedent which will have an effect on certain pending courts martial.

The statement says the military strongly disagrees with the government's plan to create a Parole Board.

It says plans to set up a Parole Board will only succeed if the military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, is removed.

It says the message being sent out is that it's alright to carry out a coup, and if it fails you will be pardoned.