18 May 2006

Fiji military commander says NZ plans replacing him

8:31 am on 18 May 2006

Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says he has learnt through the grapevine that the New Zealand government is to provide a commander to replace him in the next couple of months.

But he says that is not going to happen as the military won't allow it.

Commodore Bainimarama made the comment in an interview with Radio Legend as the SDL Party of Laisenia Qarase is about to form a new government.

The commander says comments by some SDL politicians about the military don't augur well for the country.

As the final result is being awaited, Commodore Bainimarama says he hopes the two newly elected independent MPs will side with the Fiji Labour Party to give the country stability.

He says the military doesn't fear Labour and he says an SDL victory doesn't mean good governance.