24 Jun 2005

Fiji commander seeks troops loyalty in troubled times

10:12 am on 24 June 2005

Fiji's military commander has told his troops that if there is instability in the future, only he will be giving them orders - and no one else.

The Fiji Times reports that Commodore Bainimarama issued the instructions during military exercises to mark Infantry Day.

Commodore Bainimarama told the troops that political instability in the nation would not cease.

But he added that if there was political upheaval, he should be the only one whose orders they should obey.

Commodore Bainimarama told the troops to stay away from those who are against the military stance on issues of national interest.

He said they should change their church if their church leaders were against the military's views and it was their duty to correct their chiefs if they advised their people incorrectly.

The Commander of Land Forces, Col Naivalurua, thanked Commodore Bainimarama for being a strong and courageous savior of Fiji during its time of need.

Col Naivalurua told the troops Commodore Bainimarama's decisions were not anti-government or anti-SDL.

He said they were about national interest and had helped maintain stability.