10 Aug 2005

Fiji Labour party leader says people should not fear another coup

10:39 am on 10 August 2005

The Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, has urged people not to be frightened of another coup if he is again elected prime minister after next year's general election.

Radio Legend says Mr Chaudhry was speaking on its Hindi language sister radio station, Radio Sargam, while answering questions from listeners.

Mr Chaudhry was finance minister in the Bavadra government which was removed at gunpoint in the first Rabuka coup in May 1987.

He was prime minister in the Labour Coalition government which was seized and held hostage for 56 days in the Speight coup in May 2000.

Mr Chaudhry told radio listeners people should stand for one policy in life and be ready to face the consequences.

But Mr Chaudhry says the army and police are closely monitoring the situation and will not allow another coup to take place.