Military council wants Qarase, SDL out: Bainimarama
Monday September 03, 2007

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says the government he removed nine months ago should not return to power if Fiji is to avoid future coups.

Commodore Bainimarama told fijilive that the "military council is of the view that for Fiji to move forward and to stop the coup culture, people like (Laisenia) Qarase and members of his Cabinet should not be part of the democratically-elected government".

He said that the Qarase-led Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Government's "racist policies" provoked the military's action on December 5, 2006.

"We are fighting against everything he stands for," said Commodore Bainimarama.

Commodore Bainimarama adds that Qarase should stop calling for early elections in 2008, because it will not happen until the military's plans in taking Fiji forward is completed.

Qarase has offered to dialogue with Commodore Bainimarama and return Fiji to democracy prior to March, 2009, the date the interim administration had tentatively set for the general elections.

However, Commodore Bainimarama said Qarase has nothing to offer to the interim regime.

He stressed that Qarase did not want to have dialogue with the military for the six years the SDL Government was in power.