19 Jan 2006

Fiji Public Service Commission to discuss complaint about home affairs official

7:26 am on 19 January 2006

Fiji's Public Service Commission will meet today to consider the military's complaint about the chief executive of the home affairs ministry, Lesi Korovavala, on his alleged involvement in last week's failed bid to overthrow the military commander.

Fiji TV reports that the chairman of the commission, Stuart Hugget, has confirmed today's meeting to discuss Mr Korovavala.

Mr Hugget would not say what the complaint was.

But the military had earlier revealed that Mr Korovavala was involved in telephone conversations with the former Land Force Commander, Lt Col Baledrokadroka, who tried to oust Commodore Bainimarama.

The military also claims that Mr Korovavala tried to arrange a meeting between Baledrokadroka and the prime minister.

The military spokesman, Captain Neumi Leweni, says the complaint is not in breach of Monday's agreement between the prime minister and Commodore Bainimarama which included communicating all issues to the government first before making them public.

Captain Leweni says the complaint to the Public Service Commission was lodged before that agreement was reached in talks chaired by the acting president and commander-in-chief, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

The home affairs minister, Josefa Vosanibola, says his chief executive has written to the PSC denying the allegations against him.