8 Mar 2006

Fiji military asks Great Council of Chiefs to choose wisely

8:44 am on 8 March 2006

Fiji's military has appealed to the country's Great Council of Chiefs not to appoint a president and vice president who will bring disrepute to the two offices.

Radio Legend reports that the appeal comes with only hours to go before the Great Council meets this morning to make the appointments.

The military says the chiefs should think wisely and appoint only credible persons to the two positions.

The senior military spokesman, Lt Col Orisi Rabukawaqa, says the chiefs are free to appoint anyone, but the person who occupies the highest office in the land should never bring it into disrepute.

He says the military respects that it is the prerogative of the Great Council to nominate who they want as president and vice president.

Lt Col Rabukawaqa says their only concern is the character and credibility of the persons who occupy the office.

But he declined to comment on what course of action the military would take if someone involved in or convicted of offences related to the coup is appointed.

Meanwhile, the vice president, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, has joined President Iloilo in confirming that he is available to serve another term in office.