Calls to discipline the military Military opposition to the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill

1 calls discipline military

1.1 conservative alliance calls bainimarama disciplined
1.2 vosanibola warns bainimarama
1.3 alleged offer form pro-government mercenary force
1.4 alleged attempt dismiss commander
1.5 further criticism of commander

calls discipline military

on 29 may, more 20 military officers, dressed in uniform, sat in visitors gallery in parliament in silent protest against legislation. home affairs minister josefa vosanibola labelled bainimarama arrogant, saying military commander in commonwealth effrontery interfere in political affairs. while conceding citizens, soldiers had right observe parliamentary proceedings, should have worn civilian clothes avoid drawing attention themselves. attorney-general qoriniasi bale called investigation why officers had been in parliament during work hours, , why had been in uniform.

conservative alliance calls bainimarama disciplined

the conservative alliance (camv), junior partner in fiji s coalition government, called on bainimarama , police commissioner andrew hughes resign making mockery of (fiji s) judicial systems, , home affairs minister vosanibola labelled bainimarama arrogant, saying military commander in commonwealth effrontery interfere in political affairs. bainimarama retorted on 1 june having undergone 3 coups in eighteen years, fiji not compared other commonwealth countries.

on 15 july, cakobau called bainimarama disciplined insubordination, while jale baba, national director of ruling soqosoqo duavata ni lewenivanua, said of statements made commodore bainimarama against institution worked for. however, opposition leader mahendra chaudhry, had been critical of bainimarama in past, supported him time, saying reason why bainimarama opposed legislation understood about.

vosanibola warns bainimarama

on 9 june, vosanibola reacted warnings bainimarama military might forced open reiterating previous threats discipline bainimarama if failed act in accordance government policy , submit complaints through correct channels.

on 20 june, fiji times reported reliable source close government had accused president ratu josefa iloilo, military commander-in-chief, of refusing repeated requests vosanibola institute disciplinary measures against bainimarama. source cited section 96 of constitution, requires president act on advice of appropriate cabinet minister, in case home affairs minister, , accused him of refusing so. this, said, making minister foolish , incompetent.

on 30 june, attorney-general qoriniasi bale said there no problem between government , military, added, problem army leadership thinks rules government when supposed other way around. claimed measures underway resolve dispute. bale responding concerns raised nadroga-navosa provincial council government s passage of controversial legislation in face of opposition military, foreign governments.

home affairs minister vosanibola admitted on 13 july government constitutionally powerless discipline military commander. said government concerned bainimarama s behaviour, , accused media of exacerbating tensions. (the media) can play major role , come first instead of coming after highlighting (bainimarama) has said, vosanibola told fiji times.

on 15 july, vosanibola appeared backtrack somewhat, saying government looking @ disciplinary options short of removing commander position. according fiji times, admitted having paid several visits president iloilo on matter.

alleged offer form pro-government mercenary force

also on 15 july, fiji sun newspaper quoted former soldier, claims israeli-trained fijian security officer, having met prime minister , home affairs minister offer set mercenary force, called protection squad, defend government against threat military. take less week assemble squad, reported saying. fiji live reported police commissioner andrew hughes had expressed surprise @ news, saying 1 of country s top security officers, knew nothing matter. commodore bainimarama, part, said new caledonia man loser had been dishonourably discharged fijian army time before.

on 19 july, government convened meeting of national security council, comprising prime minister qarase, attorney-general bale, finance minister ratu jone kubuabola, foreign minister kaliopate tavola, , home affairs minister vosanibola, discuss increasing tension between government , military. ministers emerged council meeting tight-lipped , unwilling answer questions pertaining relationship between government , military, except security situation calm , stable. home affairs minister vosanibola said government did not need of mercenaries, offered raqio. prime minister qarase, part, said satisfied military , police assurances security situation. reiterate assurances given military , police situation in country stable, prime minister said. meanwhile, military spokesman captain neumi leweni said military had not provided security council briefing.

alleged attempt dismiss commander

on 20 july, bainimarama went public allegations home affairs minister vosanibola had attempted dismiss him in june. cabinet had, claimed, discussed letter of termination presented vosanibola. meanwhile, radio australia admitted embarrassment on telephone interview conducted, supposedly bainimarama, on 18 july. bainimarama denied having given interview, , radio australia admitted next day person answered call, whom believed have been member of bainimarama s staff, appeared have been impersonating him.

further criticism of commander

in parliamentary speech on 10 august, fisheries minister konisi yabaki accused opposition fiji labour party of having manipulated military, police, defy government. said had poisoned minds of current leadership in disciplined forces publicly express views against elected government without fear of retribution or recrimination.

on 3 october, prime minister qarase called on bainimarama respect authority of government. said home affairs minister josefa vosanibola studying bainimarama s recent comments, , government duly decide action take in response.