Pacific

Fiji's military wants president and vice-president to remain in office

11:15 am on 22 February 2006

Fiji's military says it wants the president, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, and his vice president, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, to remain in office.

Radio Legend reports that this has been made clear though the military spokesman, Captain Neumi Leweni.

Captain Leweni says it is pointless for the Great Council of Chiefs to nominate others when the two men who occupy the office are willing to continue for another five-year term.

The military has also written to President Iloilo expressing its strong opposition to the appointment of anyone with coup convictions or anyone implicated in the coup into Government House either as president or vice president.

It has indicated it could invoke the Doctrine of Necessity if such a person is appointed to office.

An earlier report said there will be a big push from Tailevu chiefs at next month's Great Council of Chiefs meeting to bring back Ratu Jope Seniloli as vice president.

Ratu Jope was forced to resign from the vice presidency in 2004 after he was jailed for four years for trying to usurp the presidency from Ratu Mara during the Speight coup and is currently serving his sentence from home under a Compulsory Supervision Order.