26 Sep 2005

Fiji military concerned about latest coup revelations

1:06 pm on 26 September 2005

Fiji's military has expressed concern about revelations made by a former coup convict and now Australian resident detailing plans, including executions, for the May 2000 government overthrow.

Maciu Navakasuasua has given a police statement in which he details the main players in the coup, people behind a bombing campaign to destabilise the Chaudhry government and how soldiers were persuaded to stage the coup.

The military spokesman, Lt Col Orisi Rabukawaqa, says the army is concerned about the plan to cause instability and then try to draw the military in support of the indigenous cause as was done during the 1987 Rabuka coup.

Lt Col Rabukawaqa says while the military cannot do anything about investigations which fall into the realm of the police, it can investigate and prosecute personnel who are subject to military law.

He says Mr Navakasuasua's statements point to people whom voters should be very careful of in next year's general election.

Lt Col Rabukawaqa says if voters see the names of those implicated in the coup on their ballot papers next year, they should question their conscience and ask if such candidates have the interest of the people at heart.