24 Apr 2003

Fiji peacekeepers confident of forming next government

9:24 am on 24 April 2003

The Fiji Peacekeepers Association says it is confident of forming the next government if the Qarase administration does not pay the millions of dollars owed to them.

The association, which claims a membership of more than 12 thousand former soldiers, is in the process of forming a political party as part of efforts to press their claims for 127 million US dollars.

The association claims this money is owed to its members for peacekeeping duties overseas over the last 24 years.

It's lawyer, Tevita Fa, has told the Daily Post newspaper that when they form the next government, they will ask parliament to refund the money they are owed.

Previous governments have rejected these claims and the association has filed a claim in the High Court.

The association's secretary, Taniela Senikuta, claims the government and the military have been pocketing the money paid by the United Nations for peacekeeping by Fiji troops.