M A I N   N E W S

Fiji talks end in deadlock

SUVA, June 24 (AFP, Reuters) — Talks aimed at freeing 31 hostages held by coup plotters in Fiji’s Parliament ended in deadlock today but an official said a new attempt to reach an agreement would start tomorrow.

Martial law spokesman Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini told reporters negotiations with coup leader George Speight had stalled over the issue of the future presidency of the country.

He would not discuss the matter further, saying only that talks would resume tomorrow.

The private secretary to former Vice-President Ratu Josef Iliolio, Mr Suliano Turagabeu, said: “We are still working on the accord, we haven’t reached a final decision. We hope a final decision will be agreed on tomorrow.”

Asked if there was a deadlock, he said: “You could call it that.”

Local radio reported that Speight had presented new demands leading to a breakdown in the talks.

Military sources said one of the sticking points preventing the signing of an agreement was a refusal by Speight to agree to his men laying down their arms. 

Resignation of Shanta loyalist accepted
From S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 24 — Soon after the virtual show of strength between the two warring factions of the ruling BJP in Kangra district, the Dhumal government today accepted the resignation of a Shanta Kumar loyalist, Mr Des Raj, from the post of Chairman of the H.P. Finance Commission.

Mr Des Raj, who is a sitting BJP MLA and is considered a staunch supporter of the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Mr Shanta Kumar, submitted his resignation a few days ago to protest against the alleged attempts of the Dhumal faction to sideline supporters of Mr Shanta Kumar during the recent organisational elections in the state.

His resignation which was pending for several days and was suddenly accepted today following the virtual show of strength at Indora in Kangra where Mr Des Raj was presented a car by his supporters two days ago. This upset the faction led by the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal.

Mr Dhumal had initially said he would take action on the resignation only after talking to Mr Des Raj. However, the acceptance came today while Mr Dhumal is away on a tour at Bangalore.

The chief secretary, Mr A.K. Goswami, has now been asked to hold additional charge of the Commission.

Mr Shanta Kumar’s annoyance with Mr Dhumal was visible at a news conference he called here this afternoon. Although he did not make a direct reference to the CM he stressed that having been in power for about two years ago, the time had come for “self introspection”. For the government to see whether it has fulfilled the resolve of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to not compromise with corruption.

He parried questions on whether formation of the BJP government in Himachal Pradesh with support of Mr Sukh Ram, who was facing charges of corruption in courts, was in violation of the principles of Mr Vajpayee.

Simply reiterating that it was time for self introspection. He refused to elaborate.

He said he had no differences with Mr Dhumal and no one spoke against the state government during the function to present a car to Mr Des Raj. He said he had not participated in an earlier function in which a car was presented to Mr Suresh Chandel, MP, as the local party unit was unaware of the move and the function was organised only by a handful of persons. Mr Des Raj was presented the car by local BJP workers, he said.

Meanwhile, a senior ruling BJP functionary claimed in the evening that the one year term of Mr Des Raj had expired a few days ago. As such his resignation had become irrelevant and he automatically ceased to be the Chairman of the Finance Commission.