24 Oct 2006

Fiji Military says regional leaders shouldn't meddle in Fiji internal affairs

6:49 pm on 24 October 2006

Fiji's military has called on regional leaders attending the Pacific Forum summit in Nadi not to meddle in the internal affairs of the country.

The military spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni, has told Radio Legend that the leaders do not have any knowledge or background to make comments on the military.

Major Leweni says the impasse between the military and the government is not their business.

He says that is an issue that the military needs to deal with itself.

Major Leweni says all the leaders making comments have never experienced the kinds of crises that Fiji has had and do not really know what the situation in Fiji is.

Earlier, the Commonwealth secretary general, Don McKinnon, said that he was not surprised that the military commander, Commodore Bainimarama, had continued his outbursts against the government.

Mr McKinnon said while the military may feel the need to speak out, it must remember that the government is an elected one.