12 Jul 2002

Fiji military investigating alleged threats by former soldiers

10:45 am on 12 July 2002

Fiji's military is reported to be engaged in a covert operation to investigate an alleged threat by former soldiers.

Radio Fiji says the investigation is into alleged plans by members of the Fiji Peacekeepers Association to stage a major offensive in the country's west during next week's summit of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries.

The radio says plans about the alleged offensive were revealed by an army reservist who was arrested in Nadi and interrogated by police.

The Peacekeepers Association has denied the allegation.

Its acting secretary, Taniela Senikuta, says they were very disappointed at being interviewed by the Special Branch yesterday.

Mr Senikuta says their association has nothing to do with the allegations made by people trying to create havoc in the country.

The Peacekeepers Association was planning to hold a protest about unpaid allowances during the ACP summit but changed their plans saying they supported the government.

The allowances issue is currently before the courts.