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SUVA - Fiji's military has refused to accept a presidential decision to oust its commander, following his threats against the Government.
The President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, decided yesterday to sack Commodore Frank Bainimarama on the advice of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. But senior military officers refused to accept
the decision.
A senior commander said Lieutenant Colonel Meli Saubulinayau was called to the President's office and told of the plan to remove Commodore Bainimarama and for him to take over.
But Colonel Saubulinayau declined, saying he did not command the support of the military.
Land Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti told the online news service Fijilive.com that Commodore Bainimarama "is still the commander and will remain as the commander".
Early last month, Commodore Bainimarama threatened to force Mr Qarase to resign unless he dropped two contentious bills, one of which will offer amnesty to some of those involved in a 2000 coup. Senior military personnel have continued to call on Mr Qarase to stand down.
In response, the PM has said he will deal with Commodore Bainimarama when the military chief returns from a trip to Fijian troops based overseas.
Earlier yesterday, military spokesman Captain Neumi Leweni, said it would be "unwise" to remove Commodore Bainimarama.
"The appropriate thing to do would be to await his arrival whereby they can sit at the table, as leaders, and be able to discuss these issues and come to some solution."
The commodore was due back from the Middle East by early next week.
Fiji Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes, an Australian, is so worried about Commodore Bainimarama's outbursts against the Government that he has refused to release from Suva wharves a shipment of 7.5 tonnes of ammunition intended for the military. Mr Hughes has said he will not release the shipment until he's "satisfied that it will not be used against the Government in any forceful threat or move to have them resign".
Mr Hughes yesterday met acting military commander, Captain Esala Teleni, about the ammunition but the outcome of those talks is unknown.
Commodore Bainimarama has warned Mr Hughes he could cause a "disaster" if he continues to withhold the shipment.
"I warn Hughes to act sensibly and release the ammunition because if anything happens he will pack his bag and fly back to Australia, leaving the country in a mess," the commander told the Fiji Sun newspaper.
"What Hughes has failed to realise is that he could bring about a major disaster by trying to create a rift between the two forces."
Australia has issued a travel advisory for Fiji, warning of tension between the military and the Government.
- AAP
