10 Jun 2003

Fiji military to support security for South Pacific Games

7:23 am on 10 June 2003

Fiji's three and a half thousand military will be on standby to provide security during the South Pacific Games later this month.

The acting police commissioner, Moses driver, says primary responsibility for security will remain with the police.

But he says the military will be called in if needed.

The military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says some soldiers will take part in the games as volunteer officials to support the police.

He says it is another way to reinforce the police during the games.

Meanwhile, police preparations for the games remain crippled by a lack of vehicles.

Fiji police, who some times have to hitch hike to crime scenes, are relying on being allowed to borrow vehicles from other government departments to carry out their duites during the games.

The Fijian Political Party, the SVT, says the government's decision not to provide police with funds to buy their own vehicles is placing the safety of the public and the rise in crime at the end of its list of priorities.