Fiji rebels, troops exchange fire

By P.S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, JULY 4. Fiji today descended into a new phase of uncertainty despite the swearing-in of a civilian Cabinet by the military regime. The new Prime Minister, Mr. Laisenia Qarase, appealed for the release of political hostages by Mr. George Speight and called for reconciliation.

But Mr. Qarase, said to be an apolitical figure, reportedly referred also to anonymous threats to his life, while there were conflicting indications from the Fijian capital of Suva by nightfall today about the outbreak of a gunbattle between the supporters of Mr. Speight and soldiers loyal to the military regime. Mr. Speight continued to hold the elected Prime Minister, Mr. Mahendra Pal Chaudhry, and others hostage for yet another day.

Military unit mutinies

There was no uncertainty whatsoever about Mr. Speight's rejection of the military's new civilian Cabinet line-up. But he felt encouraged by a mutiny at a military base on the country's second largest island. Indications are that the mutineers at the military base in question were all sympathisers of Mr. Speight's ``cause'' in favour of the native Fijians.

As for the gunbattle in or near the Parliament complex in Suva, where Mr. Speight and his squad were still holding the political hostages, one version was that no one among the military personnel on duty outside the premises was hurt or dead.

At least four pro-Speight rebels were said to have been hurt in what was a shootout between the loyalists of the `civil coup' leader and a few military personnel who might have ``infiltrated'' into the Parliament complex.

Shortly after the shootout, a temporary truce was informally agreed upon by the military regime and Mr. Speight's armed supporters, according to another version in Suva tonight.

India's concern

PTI reports from New Delhi:

An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said India was encouraged by Commodore Bainimarama's statement which indicated that the safety and release of the ethnic Indian premier and his Cabinet colleagues held hostage will remain a top priority for the new interim civilian Cabinet.

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Section  : International
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