Army asked Air Fiji not to take me: Qarase
Tuesday August 28, 2007

Fiji's ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase says he may not be able to travel to Suva this Friday, claiming that the military has instructed Air Fiji not to fly him over.

Speaking to Fijilive from Vanuabalavu this afternoon, Qarase said he was helpless and did not understand why the military was breaching a court order that had allowed him to travel freely around the country.

"Why are they doing this and I don't understand why the military had suddenly made changes when the court had ordered them not to interfere in my travel," he said.

"A message was relayed to me from Suva that the military had informed Air Fiji not to allow me in their planes and that's not pleasing at all."

"If this goes on how do they expect me to attend to my court case when it will be called in a month's time?"

Qarase said he has instructed his lawyer, Tevita Fa to look into the matter and take the necessary steps to stop the military from interfering in his travel plans.

Qarase said he had been looking forward to this trip as he has been missing his grandchildren for the past eight months.

"My wife and I were looking forward to this trip because we missed all the things we never saw for the past eight months - like my children and grandchildren."

Qarase added that he may take legal action against the military for their actions.