Fiji military says its on full alert

Fiji military says its on full alert

Fri, 16 Feb 2001 11:04:41 +1200 Issue No: 484 16 February 2001

PEOPLE'S COALITION GOVERNMENT, FIJI

visit our website: http://www.pcgov.org.fj

The military says that it is on full alert from today.

The alert advice is in response to the call by extremist politicians for violent opposition to any result of the appeals court decision which would be against the Qarase regime.

The military says that it will set up random check-points in urban areas and re-impose a curfew if need be.

Meanwhile local media has reported that the Fiji Police are investigating the Citizens Constitutional Forum's Rev. Akuila Yabaki for standing to support a call for people to stay home and pray on Monday 19th February. The police has also questioned Fiji First's Mick Beddoes and has indicated it may charge him.

It, however, has so far refused to investigate those calling for violent protests. These include supporters of the terrorists and supporters of the Qarase regime.

The dual standards used by the police has been condemned by the Fiji Labour Party.

It is clear that the Isikia Savua police team has been totally politicised and has lost direction and purpose. Instead of protecting the weak and the innocent, the police is now embarking on a mission to provide support to the terrorists and those seeking to achieve their political aims through the use of violence and bloodshed.

In this environment, most citizens, and most businessmen, including the transport industry, have said that they have lost confidence in the Savua led force. They have called on the military to bring back the balance which is vitally needed in a multi-racial society where a majority support the elected government but whose voices are suppressed by a vocal and violent minority.

Commentators have publicly stated during the past few weeks that the way the military handles itself during the coming weeks will determine finally the future of Fiji. If the military lives by the oaths they take to uphold the rule of law and support the elected government, then there would be some hope for Fiji to return to normality. But if the military capitulates to the demands of the vocal and violent minority, then most, including the entire western nations, believe that Fiji will be headed to doom.

END

© Scoop Media