Fiji PM, military chief end war of words
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-16 14:04

Fiji's outspoken military chief and the South Pacific nation's prime minister agreed on Monday to put national interest first and end a war of words that has seen the military commander threaten martial law.

Military commander Frank Bainimarama and Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase held talks in the capital Suva on Monday, mediated by acting President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

"There was a frank exchange of views between the parties. Both recognised the need to put the national interest first," Madraiwiwi said in a statement.

Bainimarama has frequently criticised Qarase's government for being too soft on the leaders of a 2000 coup and for adopting populist, pro-indigenous policies which disadvantage Fiji's economically powerful ethnic Indian minority.

He has on two occasions threatened to reimpose martial law, sparking fears Fiji could face a fourth coup since 1987.

Fiji has had three racially inspired coups since 1987, as well as an army mutiny in November 2000, which included a bloody gun battle in the main barracks on a hilltop overlooking Suva.

Bainimarama's latest threat was in response to Qarase's plan for laws that would grant amnesty to some of those involved in the 2000 coup, possibly including George Speight, the leader of the uprising who is serving a life sentence for treason.

Qarase has vowed to press ahead, although he has conceded that the legislation will likely need to be amended before it is passed by parliament. Qarase has vowed to stay in power until his five-year term ends in September.

He was installed as a caretaker leader when Bainimarama imposed martial law after a nationalist-led coup in 2000. Qarase won free elections a year later.

Madraiwiwi said the talks in Suva on Monday were designed to "re-establish regular channels of communication" between the government and the military.

He said the prime minister had agreed to invite Bainimarama and Fiji's police commissioner to attend the government's security council as observers.

He also said Bainimarama had agreed not to publicly criticise the government before first making his views known to the government.

"In that regard it is critical that elements in the government and the military exercise circumspection and discretion in their dealings with each other at all times," Madraiwiwi said.

He said any concerns the military had over the bill granting amnesty would be addressed when it goes before parliament for final debate, expected in February.

Racial tensions are never far from the surface, with indigenous Fijians resenting the economic strength of ethnic Indians whose ancestors were brought to Fiji to work on British sugar cane farms.

The Australian government last week issued a travel warning telling its citizens to exercise caution in Fiji in light of the latest tensions between the military and the government.