11 Dec 2006

Fiji's military warns against inciting statements

7:51 am on 11 December 2006

Fiji's military has warned those making inciting statements against its coup last week that they will be dealt with.

Already those taken in for questioning at the military camp include the former director of the ruling SDL party, Jale Baba; the party president, Ratu Kalokalo Loki and a failed SDL election candidate, Imraz Iqbal.

Also taken in were a deposed junior minister, Ted Young, and the former labour, minister Kenneth Zinck.

SDL sources say the military summoned the party president after reports that he was behind moves to create civil unrest.

The military spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni, says they respect the right of people to hold dissenting views but those making inciting statements will be dealt with.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Times reports that the heads of some NGOs opposing military rule, including Virisila Buadromo and Angie Herrnan, are reported to have received threatening telephone calls.

The military is also carrying out a manhunt for the chief executive of the finance ministry, Paula Uluinaceva, who placed a spending limit 12-thousand US dollars a day on government departments including the military and then went into hiding.