27 Feb 2006

Fiji military boss told to stop regular meetings with PM

1:03 pm on 27 February 2006

Senior officers of the Fiji military are reported to have told their commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, not to hold any more meetings with the prime minister, Laisenia Qarase.

Military spokesman, Lt Col Orisi Rabukawaqa, has told the Fiji Sun newspaper that last week's meeting between Commodore Bainimarama and Mr Qarase would be the last.

The fortnightly meetings started taking place after crisis talks between the two men mediated by the acting president, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, at the height of the stand off between the military and the government in early January.

Lt Col Rabukawaqa says the military had raised issues with the prime minister which were to be addressed by the ministry of home affairs but there had been no feedback.

He says that is why the military has been making public statements.

Lt Col Rabukawaqa says the meetings have failed to show anything positive and left the military feeling they have been taken on a wild goose chase.

Commodore Bainimarama's briefings for Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi every Tuesday will continue.