18 Jul 2006

Fiji's Justice Ministry chief executive supports public inquiry into coup

9:45 am on 18 July 2006

The chief executive of Fiji's Justice Ministry, Sakiusa Rabuka, says the time may be opportune to consider holding a public inquiry into the 2000 coup.

He says his personal opinion is that there should be a forum where people can air their views and exchange information about what happened.

The comments follow a call from Josefa Nata, who's serving a life sentence for treason over the coup, that a public inquiry be held so that people find out who was behind the coup.

Mr Rabuka says if it is held, it should be holistic and cover the causes and the actors rather than the consequences so that there's an opportunity for reconciliation.

"I think that that might be something that we need to look at. You know, if you want to clear the background and the difficulties concerning the events of '87 and 2000 in particular, I think that's something that needs to be considered seriously because there needs to be this air of trust and confidence building in Fiji."

The chief executive of the Justice Ministry, Sakiusa Rabuka.

The police commissioner, Andrew Hughes, says a presidential commission of inquiry should be held which would compel people to appear and provide information.