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Issue No: 742; 9 May 2001The sevusevu which was presented to the terrorists in the Parliament Complex last year as they were holding the government hostage, was done at the expressed approval of the Commander of the Military, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama. This was revealed in a report in today's Fiji Sun by former military officer and an aspirant to the Commander's post, Col. Jeremaia Waqanisau. Waqanisau is now the Official Secretary in the President's Office. Waqanisau stated: The sevusevu is a traditional presentation to mark an appreciation, or to make a request. Waqanisau's comments came after this website published extracts of a report written by soldiers charged with mutiny claiming that Waqanisau supported the terrorists (see: http://www.pcgov.org.fj/hot_press/no722.htm ) The Sun also states that the police are now investigating Waqanisau for his involvement with the terrorists. The paper also says that the military commander Com. Voreqe Bainimarama called the Sun's editor last week to "vouch for Col. Waqanisau's loyalty to him and the military". Meanwhile, the military stated in its affidavit against the habeas corpus application by the detained office Penaia Baleinamau that Col. Baleinamau had authorised military weapons to be given to the terrorists and that he still commanded a lot of respect with the former CRW soldiers. It further stated that Baleinamau still commanded a lot of adverse influence, and that this was a security risk. The recent revelations confirm that the military is thoroughly
divided with cross-cutting loyalties of senior officers and the rank and file.
Some analysts believe that with the way the investigations are proceeding, the
rejection of the High Court judgment, the lack of respect for law and order, and
the revelations of the involvement of some prominent personalities with the
terrorists, another flare-up is in the making. |
People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |