25 Oct 2006

Fiji military to seek Iloilo's support to defeat qoliqoli bill

4:38 pm on 25 October 2006

Fiji's military is considering asking President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to order the Qarase government to withdraw its controversial Qoliqoli Bill.

The military spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni, has told Radio Legend they have no other substantial option left as the government wants to push ahead with the Bill.

Major Leweni says another option would be to approach the home affairs minister, Jioefa Vosanibola, to ask the cabinet to withdraw the Bill.

But he says such a request is likely to be rejected.

Major Leweni says the military will wait for the return of Commodore Bainimarama from the Middle East later this week before deciding on their course of action.

He says the military is concerned that if the Bill is enacted into law, it will lead to many disputes among indigenous Fijians.

Major Leweni says there are enough problems with the land issue already without extending them to include the seas as well.