20 May 2004

Fiji military chief to summon former army spokesman back from overseas

8:15 pm on 20 May 2004

Fiji's military commander, Commodore Bainimarama, will summon the army spokesman at the time of the May 2000 coup, Lt Col Filipo Tarakinikini, back from overseas to answer coup related charges.

This follows the Supreme Court ruling last week that the officer's attempt to resign by sending a letter from New York was not valid and that he was still in the army.

Six month's after the coup, the then Qarase interim administration lobbied for a United Nations job for Lt Col Filipo Tarakinikini and he is still with the world body and is currently based in Israel.

Commodore Bainimarama is quoted as saying the military will bring him back to answer coup and mutiny related charges and it is just a matter of time.

Meanwhile, the deputy police commissioner, Moses Driver, has told Radio Legend that Lt Col Tarakinikini's alleged involvement in the mutiny is being investigated totally by the military.

But Mr Driver says police want to clarify some issues they are investigating about the coup with Lt Col Tarakinikini if he is brought back