26 Mar 2004

Fiji military commander promises to co-operate with police investigation

7:22 am on 26 March 2004

Fiji's military commander has promised to co-operate with police inquiries into his alleged threats against the ousted home affairs chief executive, Col Jeremia Waqanisau.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama has told radio station Legend that he will make himself available to police for interviews on the issue.

Col Waqanisau had complained to police that he was threatened by the commander to resign from his position and not to interfere in the military's affairs.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at the height of the standoff when Col Waqanisau was strongly opposing Commodore Bainimarama's reappointment for another term as military commander.

This week the deputy police commissioner, Moses Driver, said officers had reached the point in their investigations where they needed to bring the commander in for questioning.

Commodore Bainmarama says he has nothing to hide from police.