Military confident of resolving Fiji crisis

SUVA, JUNE 18. Fiji's military government today raised hopes for an imminent end to the country's four-week hostage crisis, saying the only obstacle remaining was the demand by nationalist rebels to be part of a new civilian administration.

The spokesman for the military regime, Lieutenant- Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini, said the armed forces hoped to be able to achieve a resolution ``within the next few days'' to the crisis which has toppled Fiji's elected government and crippled its economy.

Armed gunmen led by businessman, Mr. George Speight, burst into Fiji's Parliament on May 19 and took 31 people hostage including the country's first ethnic Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Mahendra Chaudhry.

The rebels are demanding that only indigenous Fijians should run the island nation, where ethnic Indians comprise 45 per cent of the population.

The military declared martial law ten days later and took control of the country after growing unrest.

``We are much more optimistic now that we are coming towards a resolution,'' Col. Tarakinikini told local television after another day of talks in the capital Suva.

``The point of contention continues to remain the amount of participation that Mr. Speight and his group want in the interim administration,'' he said.

The military has said Mr. Speight's team would be represented on a new body to change the country's multi-racial constitution.

However, it has insisted that the rebel leader is not welcome in the interim administration, due to take over in about three months, although some of his nominees will be considered.

Speight attacks media

Meanwhile, Mr. Speight has said he will hold no more press conferences, ending a drawn-out ethical debate for reporters here who felt used by the leader.

Since taking Mr. Chaudhry and 30 others as hostages, Mr. Speight has proved masterful in manipulating the media. Once during the crisis he even used the media to protect him from the military.

- Reuters, AFP

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Section  : International
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