Fiji military Govt. begins multi-cornered talks

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, JUNE 14. Fiji's `Interim Military Government' today began multi-cornered talks aimed at securing the release of the hostages, and at establishing a transitional administration, under the auspices of the military rulers. The idea was that the proposed transitional administration could lead Fiji back to democracy.

The military leadership said in the Fijian capital, Suva, today that these parleys were of a very ``sensitive'' nature. The civil coup leader, Mr. George Speight, today cautioned the military ruler, Commodore J.V. Bainimarama, that enormous care must be taken in constituting any transitional administration.

At the same time, Cmdr. Bainimarama made it clear that he was not inclined to include Mr. Speight or his associates in any transitional set-up. He was also inclined to keep military men out of a forum that would, in any case, work under the overall supervision of the armed forces which declared a martial law on May 29. These moves were aimed at winning friends among the members of the Commonwealth delegation scheduled to visit Fiji later this week.

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Section  : International
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