9 Apr 2003

Fiji military commander warns politicians to watch their words

8:21 am on 9 April 2003

Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has warned politicians to watch their utterances in public.

In a front page report, the Daily Post quotes Commodore Bainimarama as saying he is not happy with the sort of talk in the political arena by some politicians trying to create instability.

Commodore Bainimarama is quoted as saying politicians must be truthful in their dealings if they want the country to move forward, adding that some of them to be working to destabilise the country.

He warned that the military was unhappy with such politicians whose actions could not be justified but would not elaborate.

While Commodore Bainimarama did not name any politicians, the Post says the secretary general of the ruling SDL party, Josaia Diani, has been under the spotlight for making racist statements against certain communities and parties.

The government has already told the military commander that his contract will not be renewed when it expires in February.

Commodore Bainimarama twice turned down offers of diplomatic postings abroad in favour of staying with the military to see through coup related prosecutions of soldiers.