Firing in Fiji as interim PM sworn in

Firing in Fiji as interim PM sworn in
AGENCIES

SUVA, JULY 4: Armed clashes broke out on Tuesday between Fiji's military and the hostage-takers, who are holding 27 members of ousted Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry's government at the parliament complex, soon after an interim government was sworn in. Five people were injured, the rebels said. There were no immediate reports of any deaths.

Rebel spokesman Jo Nata alleged the military fired the first shot shortly after a press conference by coup leader George Speight to comment on the swearing in of the all-Fijian temporary government. ``There is a little war,'' Nata said. ``One of our people was shot at, a dogfight ensued. Several people have been evacuated.''

Nata also confirmed reports that Speight supporters in the town of Labasa on the island of Vanua Levu had confiscated weapons from the military barracks. ``Our people and military (loyal to Speight) have control there,'' he said.

Reports of the mutiny were also confirmed by martial law spokesman Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini. The unit has taken control of an army base in Labasa, he said. Sources said 95 per cent of the soldiers on the base were loyal to Speight. The mutineers, led by Beni Voseaca, have loaded weapons on to two trucks but it was not immediately known where they were heading for.

At the Press conference, Speight had said he did not expect the new government to rule for long. He said Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs would withdraw its men from the military ``and very soon Commander Bainimarama will find himself in charge of an army that will have no men.''

``The army's unilateral decision yesterday on an interim government is an affront to the objective of the coup and to the aspirations of the Vanua (people),'' Speight had said in a statement to Fiji Times newspaper.

Army spokesperson Tarakinikini, describing the firing as ``unfortunate'', said an army patrol outside parliament came under fire from Speight supporters. ``They were fired upon by snipers on Battery Hill (just outside parliament) and returned fire,'' he said. But a radio journalist inside parliament said the shooting started when the civilians fled on seeing soldiers crouching nearby. ``The soldiers just popped out of nowhere and started shooting,'' he said. ``Everything then went berserk.''

Fiji radio reported that the exchange of gunfire lasted for 10-15 minutes. Two ambulances were at the scene. Nata said five injured people had been taken away for treatment.

Reports suggested that after the gunfight there were negotiations between Speight's supporters and the military but more gunfire was heard later. People living close to the parliament began evacuating the area after the shooting.

Earlier today, banking executive Laisenia Qarase was sworn in as Prime Minister with his team, six weeks after the elected leader of the country was taken hostage with his team. Dressed in traditional Sulu skirts, 19 indigenous Fijian men swore to ``be faithful and bear true allegiance to the republic of the Fijian islands'' during a ceremony at the military headquarters here.

Speaking after being sworn in, Qarase said he accepted the job as a ``call for national unity''. He urged the gunmen to release the hostages immediately so Fiji could begin rebuilding its shattered economy.

Qarase said his government would give priority to protecting indigenous Fijian rights but that ``no communities will be excluded...in our multiracial and multicultural society.''

He, however, said at a news conference that ``the 1997 constitution will not be reinstated''. That constitution guaranteed representation for Fiji's economically powerful Indian minority.

``The interests of the Fijian community must not be subordinated to those of the other communities and hence the principle of the paramouncy of indigenous Fijian interests,'' said Qarase.

A local radio station reported that military spokesman Tarakinikini and rebel deputy leader Tomoci Silatolu would meet later today at a ``neutral'' area to try to end the political crisis.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth has cautiously welcomed the interim civilian cabinet, warning that it could be no substitute for the urgent restoration of democratic rule.