British QC to represent deposed Fiji ministers

Three members of Fiji's deposed government seeking a return to democracy in the troubled nation will be represented in court by a British-based lawyer.

Geoffrey Robertson QC has taken the case of former ministers Deo Narayan, Ratu Isireli Vuibau and Gunasagaran Gounder whose action in the Fiji High Court seeks the restoration of Fiji's 1997 multi-racial Constitution and the reinstatement of Mahendra Chaudhry's government.

Mr Robertson said the action was aimed at swiftly restoring democracy to Fiji.

He said criminal elements, or people who had no political agenda other than a racist or a criminal one, should not profit from the overthrow of constitutional governments.

The legal proceedings have been brought against Fiji's current President, Ratu Sir Josefa Iloilo, the former President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and the head of the Fiji Armed Forces, Commodore Frank Bainimarama for their actions taken after the May 19 coup led by George Speight.

The three ex-ministers are also seeking compensation for their time held hostage and full salary entitlements.

Meanwhile, there are claims that the Fiji Police Commissioner, Isikia Savua, was to have been made Prime Minister after the coup.

The claims were made by former Minister of Agriculture Poseci Bune, who said Savua was to have been the leader of the coup, rather than Speight, but opted out after the army decided not to back the overthrow of the Government.

In earlier statements Bune had said Speight told them within minutes of taking the cabinet hostage on May 19 that he was waiting for the real leader of the coup to turn up, and that he himself was not the real leader.

Bune claims similar information was given to Mahendra Chaudhry by the leader of George Speight's gunmen, Ilisoni Ligairi.

He also said that both Savua and former Prime Minster Sitiveni Rabuka were involved in planning the coup.

Ligairi is alleged to have said that Savua was to become Prime Minister and Rabuka was to replace the then President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

Bune is currently in Vancouver lobbying for the return of the democratically elected government.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF and AGENCIES