12 Apr 2003

Brother of Fiji coup front man condemns military commander's warning to politicians

9:03 am on 12 April 2003

The brother of Fiji's convicted coup front man, George Speight, has warned the military commander to keep out of politics.

The Daily Post reports Samisoni Tikonisau, who is also a government MP, as saying that Commodre Frank Bainimarama has absolutely no right to chide politicians who have been elected by the people.

It follows the Commodore's warning this week to some politicians to watch their public utterances because they were creating instability in the country.

Commodre Bainimarama was backed by the chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, who said politicians had already done enough damage to the country which could not sustain any more coups and bloodshed.

Earlier Mr Tikonisau criticised the miltary leadership for saying they would oppose any pardon for his brother George Speight who is serving a life sentence.

He said those who believed in indgenous Fijian rights and aspirations wanted liberty for Speight.