Issue No: 718; 1 May 2001

Today's Fiji Sun quotes the CID's Inspector Waisea Tabakau as saying:
"Rabuka and the Commissioner were always on our list of those being investigated by us for their involvement in the May 19 coup. Rabuka is being questioned and we are aware that his name came up in Close-Up again". But Tabakau implied that the Public Service Commission inquiry into Savua had cleared him and that seemed the put the matter to rest.

Numerous hostages had reportedly given statements to the Police in September last year saying that Rabuka and Savua were the leaders of the terrorists.

In another development, the former Secretary at Government House, Joseph Browne claims that a CRW soldier now charged with treason has videotapes of all political destabilisation meetings that took place before 19 May. Her says that the person will tender the tapes as evidence in the courts to defend himself if there were no other alternative than a mandatory life sentence for treason charges. Browne is quoted by the Sun as saying: "Why are we attempting to crush the small fishes when the sharks are allowed to roam free?"

Meanwhile in a statement the military said: "The RFMF is satisfied that recent statements in the media have revitalised the investigative process into the events of May 19th. It is confidence that the truth will prevail and those responsible will be brought to justice".