18 Jan 2008

Fiji interim PM seeks review of the role of the military

10:21 am on 18 January 2008

Fiji's military head and interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has asked the National Council for Building a Better Fiji to review the role of the military.

Fijilive online reports that the Council, in its communiqué, agreed to review the role of the military in the nation's life and agreed that a working group be set up to address the issue.

Commodore Bainimarama had often argued that the military has a vital part to play in the political landscape of Fiji, coming to loggerheads with the previous Government over its constitutional role.

The debate had been referred to the court by the SDL led Government prior to its overthrow in the 2006 military coup.

Meanwhile, the council considered a proposal at Wednesday's meeting to include the word "peace" in the title of the proposed People's Charter.

It was unanimously agreed that the title be "The People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress".

The charter will be a forum for members of the public to provide their views to the council on the way forward for Fiji.