11 Dec 2006

Reaction to Fiji coup very mixed

10:17 am on 11 December 2006

Reaction to the military coup in Fiji has been very mixed with both support and opposition in strong measure.

The deposed government and its supporters, NGOs, the Law Society and many others have been vocal in their denunciation of the coup.

But the chairman of the Kadavu Provincial Council, Ratu Josateki Nawalowalo, says the military should arrest and question people who do not follow his advice to accept what has happened and move on.

A coup convict now living in Australia, Maciu Navakasuasua, says churches should not criticize the military for removing the Qarase government when they supported the May 2000 coup against Chaudhry government, even when it was held hostage for 56 days.

The secretary of the Vanua Levu Landowners association, Posiano Nauku, says people should support the military's clean-up campaign and its fight against corrupt practices.

Mr Nauku says all the people involved in corruption should be sent to jail for the sake of future generations.

He says people should be grateful the military has made life easier for the nation by not abrogating the constitution.

The general secretary of the Justice and Freedom Party, Dildar Shah, says people should stop making public statements to destabilise the country

Mr Shah says there is a lot of merit in the military' actions and people should heed its advice because the national interest overrides every other issue.