Fiji Sun Calls For Exposure Of Brains Behind Coup

Fiji Sun Calls For Exposure Of 'Brains' Behind Coup

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SUVA: The Fiji Sun has hailed police revelations that it is investigating to uncover the "brains" behind the May coup which traumatised the nation for more than two months.

The newspaper on 14 October 2000 welcomed Acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver's confirmation that investigations have already begun against chiefs, politicians, businessmen and lawyers allegedly involved in the takeover.

The plotters should be regarded as dangerous and "should cop the brunt of the law," said the Fiji Sun.

Although the rebellion failed and leader George Speight and his key accomplices are facing charges of treason, the plotters' demands for the overthrow of the elected government and abrogation of the 1997 constitution were achieved.

The Daily Post reported on October 12 that Driver had confirmed that several prominent people were being questioned and would be eventually charged over the coup.

"The Vice-President, Ratu Jope Seniloli, two cabinet ministers and several chiefs are among a number of prominent people who will be questioned and eventually charged with various criminal activities," said the Daily Post.

Agriculture Minister Apisai Tora and Information Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola were also named by the newspaper as being questioned by police.

The Fiji Sun editorial said the revelation would met with trepidation by some people.

"It could mean one thing. There are people who are currently leading double lives. People who have no conscience. If investigations do unveil faces of those involved in the takeover, then they should be considered very dangerous," said the paper.

"They should be considered people who have no right to live among us.

"They should cop the brunt of the law. The revelation means that there are people who are prepared to live with the fact that their fellow citizens are suffering because of their actions.

"These are people who have no heart, and disregard the suffering of the people of this country.

"These people don't deserve sympathy.

"They should be made aware of the fact that their actions have cost this country millions of dollars in losses.

"Their actions have resulted in close to 8000 people losing their jobs.

"Businesses have been forced to close down because of their actions. More are expected to close down in the coming months.

"Their actions have taken this country back in years. It has placed us on a path leading to political and economic ruin.

"These are unscrupulous people. People who have no qualms about sitting in the shadows, and letting others shoulder the blame for the problems this country is facing.

"The revelation means the police [are] not entirely convinced that hostage-taker George Speight and his cronies acted 'alone'.

"It does mean that there could be frontmen ... frontmen for the big fish. Now it is all about pin-pointing the big fish. The 'brains' behind the coup!

"Now it is about ensuring that there is no stone left unturned."

The Fiji Sun added that every person involved in the coup should investigated.

"There must be no differentiation in terms of race, and status. No one is above the law ... and the law must be seen to be fair!"

* Police Commissioner Isikia Savua is currently suspended while a tribunal is investigating allegations that he was involved in the coup.

+++niuswire

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