Military council deems Qarase provocative
Friday September 07, 2007

Recent comments by ousted Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his political affiliates have gone beyond just defaming the Fiji military, but have potential to cause instability, say the military.

And the military council will continue to uphold the rule of law in ensuring that the nation's stability and the safety of its citizen are maintained at all times, it said in a statement following the reactivating of emergency rule yesterday.

Military spokesman Lt Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga said the military council together with the interim Government are obligated to move the country forward through the mandate of the President of the Republic of Fiji.

He adds that Qarase continues to misinform the public of harassment by the military.

"He has also failed to ensure that regulated channels for complains are followed but choose to continue to accuse the RFMF through the media nationally and internationally.

"This has forced his Excellency the President of the Republic of Fiji to invoke the Public Emergency Regulation in the hope that it will provide some guidelines to the instigators of lawlessness to refrain from continuing to misinform the public for their own personal agendas.

"We all want our country to move forward and we all want to enjoy a better Fiji for all her citizens.

"The RFMF appeal to the public to continue to support the progress we have made in the last eight months and let us all work together to move our beloved country forward."

Lt-Col Tikoitoga explains the emergency regulation prohibits public gathering without prior approval of the commissioner of police; any description of intimidation, acts or threats of violence or any other disorderly conduct; any such actions that will hinder safety.