18 May 2006

Bougainville president says Fijian soldiers want out of province

7:06 pm on 18 May 2006

The president of the Autonomous Government in Bougainville says the five Fijian ex-soldiers who have been helping a conman with security training, now want to leave the Papua New Guinea province.

Joseph Kabui says the five men had been helping U-Vistract scheme operator, Noah Musingku, train his men because they had been offered large amounts of money.

However the Fijians, who have been asked to leave PNG a number of times, are now reportedly wanting out of the deal because there is no sign they will be paid.

Mr Kabui says he understands they want to go home.

"They are trying to find a way of having a safe passage out and of course the only safe passage out for them is of course surrendering themselves to police but of course that has not happened yet."

Mr Kabui says he will leave it up to police to decide whether the men will be offered amnesty from prosecution if they hand themselves in.