Leave Seruvakula alone - report

Issue No: 855; 15 June 2001

 
A report on the military asks that Lt. Col. Viliame Seruvakula, who had publicly stated that some army officers, chiefs, politicians and businessmen were the brains behind the two attempted coups last year, be left alone.

The report states:
"Reading through the hard talk column of the Sun Newspaper on April 11 2001 and watching both TV interviews on Sunday April 22nd with Thursday 26 April on Close Up I was really surprised that Lieutant - Colonel Viliame Seruvakula did not come up clean in the interviews."

"After working with him for the last few years and reading through his thoughts in the media, I have made up my mind to reveal few things he failed to highlight. It is not the intention of this report to hurt anyone or an institution but to clear uncertainly that has been planted to tear us apart. All that will be revealed must not be taken for granted as people have died hurt or offended and it is our utmost duty to find out ways of solving them."

"On the other hand the police have indicated that they want Seruvakula back in the country to be interviewed. I humbly suggest to the Police 'to leave Seruvakula alone' as the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) are in possession of all that they need. All they do is seek assistance from the RFMF as all names were mentioned in a Board of Inquiry (BOI) conducted after the May 19, 2000 takeover. The Army spokesman Lt Ilaisa Tagitupou had said the army is always ready to assist and facilitate the police in their investigations. Let all hope that he is true with his words as he was also present during the BOI."

The allegations that the military is fully aware of the persons behind the attempted coups, and the fact that it has done nothing to arrest these persons and get them charged, raises serious questions on whether the military can be trusted to uphold law and order in the country.

 

People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands
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