Emergency regulation is for Qarase, Kinivuwai
Thursday September 06, 2007

The return of the public emergency regulation is meant to restrain ousted Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his party executives from destabilising our progress, says interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

He said Qarase and his Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua spokesman Peceli Kinivuwai have been spreading lies about the regime and are not acting in the best interest of the nation.

"It is solely for that purpose, nothing else," Commodore Bainimarama told fijilive.

"If they try to speak out and destabilise the country again, then they will be taken back to the islands. Once that happens, the emergency regulation ends.

"The rest of us just move on with our lives."

Commodore Bainimarama said the regulation was invoked at mid-day today.

This morning, Commodore Bainimarama said that media reports this week carrying Qarase and Kinivuwai's allegations of intimidation by the army have hurt the progress of the interim regime.

Commodore Bainimarama said these are baseless claims and "the easy cure is for Laisenia Qarase to return to Vanuabalavu - him and his spokesman. They can talk from there".

Qarase returned to Suva from his home island in Vanuabalavu at the weekend, nine months since the army removed him from power in a bloodless coup.

Deputy Police Commissioner Eroni Antonio said he is unaware of the return of the emergency regulation.

Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said he will explain the details of the decision taken by the interim Government at a press conference this afternoon.

Kinivuwai told fijilive that he is aware of the return of the emergency regulation and is now cautious about what he says.

"I am aware of it. I have been told not to make anymore comments. I hope you guys will respect that."