4 Dec 2003

Fiji government rejects responsibility for reservists working in Iraq

10:49 am on 4 December 2003

The Fiji Government says Fijian soldiers serving on private deployment in Iraq are considered to have cut their links with the military.

There have been seven casualties among more than 500 reserve Fijian troops recruited by a British firm, Global Risk Strategies, for duties in Iraq since September.

Radio Fiji reports that the Minister for Home Affairs, Jonetani Cokanasiga, has told Cabinet the Government cannot be accountable for the troops' actions.

But the Government says it will continue to advise its citizens on travel to Iraq, and will also make diplomatic representations on their behalf.