M A I N   N E W S

Troops, rebels clash in Fiji
No multi-racial rule: PM

SUVA, July 4 (Reuters) — Shooting broke out today between Fijian troops and nationalist rebels holding deposed ethnic Indian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry inside Suva’s Parliament building. At least four persons were wounded.

Local radio also reported soldiers loyal to rebels had overrun a military base on Fiji’s second largest island.

The 15-minute shootout occurred only hours after Fiji’s new indigenous Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, was sworn in and promptly ruled out a return to multi-racial rule.

Both sides claimed the other started the firefight.

It was unclear how close the shooting was to Mr Chaudhry and 26 other politicians held hostage since May 19 when rebels stormed Parliament in the name of indigenous rights.

“Four rebels were wounded. Most had leg wounds,” said a Reuters photographer who saw them being carried to a Suva hospital.

The military said no soldier was wounded.

Rebel spokesman Joe Nata said four rebels were taken to hospital with superficial wounds and that two other supporters were “lying on the ground inside the complex”.

“There was an exchange of gunfire that lasted for about 15 minutes,” Captain Eroni Volavola told Reuters.

“It’s all quiet now.”

The rebels accused soldiers of shooting first, saying they merely returned the fire to protect themselves.

“They shot first. We were just trying to protect our civilians,” said Nata. “They were warned that we did not want the army around our perimeter. They were too close for our liking.”

Local media reported that five persons, four youths and a rebel, were wounded in the shooting.

“A member of the rebel group was one of the first to get injured. He was shot in the bicep,” said web site Fijilive.com.

“The rebel soldier had apparently gone out to help the civilians who made their way out of the complex after shooting started,” the independent web site said.

About 200 civilian supporters have joined rebel leader George Speight’s group inside Parliament and move at will in and out carrying food and supplies for the rebels.

Radio stations said soldiers had taken weapons in a military camp at Labasa on Vanua Levu Island, 220 km north of Suva and declared support for Mr Speight.

“The military camp in Labasa has been overrun by supporters of coup leader George Speight,” state-owned radio Fiji said.

Earlier today, banking executive Laisenia Qarase was sworn in as Prime Minister in an appointment that provoked the anger of the hostage takers, who had demanded a role in naming any new government.

In a speech after being sworn in, Qarase said he accepted the job as a “call for national unity.” He urged the gunmen to release the hostages immediately so Fiji can begin rebuilding its shattered economy.

NEW DELHI: India has expressed its continuing anxiety about the welfare of Mahendra Chaudhry and his Cabinet colleagues who have been held hostage since May 19 and hopes that they will be released without further delay.

“We are encouraged by Commander Bainimarama’s statement yesterday which indicates that the safety and release of the 27 hostages will remain the top priority,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a press release today.