16 Mar 2004

Fiji home affairs ministry to be reorganised

4:22 pm on 16 March 2004

Fiji's ministry for home affairs faces re-organisation after the resignation of its chief executive, Col Jeremaia Waqanisau.

The chairman of the public service commission, Sakeasi Waqanivavalagi, says there is no need to have another chief executive in the ministry because Fiji's military commander and police commissioner will now report directly to the minister for home affairs.

Mr Waqanivavalagi also says that because of recent experience future heads of the ministry will not come from the military.

The radical overhaul follows the tense standoff with the military when Col Waqanisau opposed the reappointment of Commodore Bainimarama to another term as military commander.

When the government bowed to intense pressure and reappointed Commodore Bainimarama, it appointed Col Waqanisau to be the ambassador to China.

The prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, said at the time Col Waqanisau's new appointment was for the sake of national security.