M A I N   N E W S

Fiji President suspends govt

SUVA, May 27 (Reuters) — Fijian President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara suspended the government today as shooting erupted outside Parliament in a confrontation between troops and supporters of coup leader George Speight.

Two soldiers and a television cameraman were wounded. Ratu Mara said he would appoint a caretaker to replace hostage Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry — and he said he expected the world to react ‘’very badly’’ to the decision.

Speight and his followers stormed Parliament on May 19, taking ethnic-Indian Chaudhry and about 30 others hostage to press for indigenous leadership of the country.

“We might be on the edge, but we are still within the constitution,’’ a tired and grim-looking Mr Mara told a news conference at which he announced his decision.

Asked how he thought the international community would react, Mara said: “Very badly. I have been warned so often by (Commonwealth Secretary-General Don) McKinnon and others.’’

Speight’s group quickly rejected Mr Mara’s plan, with special adviser Jo Nata telling Fiji TV that the rebels’ demands remained the same.

“It does not address our requests,’’ he said.

Earlier in the day Speight repeated his demand for the resignation of President Mara — who the rebels believe has not acted in the best interest of Fijians over many years.

The rugby union-loving South Pacific Island nation saw its first boycott in reaction to the eight-day-long hostage drama today. Local media reported that an upcoming rugby tour by Scotland had been cancelled, as had a planned trip to New Zealand by the Fiji national team.

Mr Mara asked for understanding from the international community. “We live in a place (that is) not only purgatory, but hell,’’ he said.

Mr Mara, who has absolute authority under emergency powers he invoked after the raid on Parliament, said he would probably announce the caretaker Prime Minister in the next two days. There was no indication who this would be, but it was certain to be an indigenous Fijian.

He also said he was considering immunity for Speight and some others. “it’s highly likely,’’ he said at the news conference in Government House close to the Parliament building and overlooking Suva.

Local reporters were suggesting Mr Mara’s move was another attempt at having Mr Chaudhry released — if he was no longer Prime Minister, there was surely no point in holding him.

Tension ran high outside the thatched-roof Parliament in the morning as the ethnic and constitutional crisis entered a second week.

Witnesses said the three men were shot and wounded after a group of unarmed Speight supporters began wrestling with soldiers at a roadblock around 150 metres from the gates to the parliamentary complex.

Several Speight supporters pulled at the barrels of the soldiers’ weapons and threw rocks and other debris. In the scuffle over one soldier’s rifle, three shots were fired into the ground, and the bullets ricocheted around the group.

Speight blamed the deployment of troops at roadblocks around the complex and demanded that all soldiers withdraw.

“It has the potential to explode, with the army ranging out there,’’ Speight told a news conference.

“We’re not in a siege situation, we’re not at war with anyone. This is a civilian action — This is a civilian crusade.’’

The injured cameraman, who works for Associated Press Television News, suffered a minor wound in the arm, as did one of the soldiers. The second soldier was hit in the leg.

The Army said it was seeking to limit the movement of armed men in and out of the complex and there was no attempt at military intervention.

“The Royal Fiji Military Force supports negotiations rather than opting for a lethal approach,’’ RFMF commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama told reporters. Col Bainimarama pledged the military’s support for Mr Mara and said 15 unarmed reservists who joined Speight on Friday would be discharged.