Fiji PM to brief UN General Assembly

Fiji's interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase is to attend the UN General Assembly in New York this Saturday to discuss the political crisis in Fiji.

He is expected to tell the assembly that indigenous Fijians' concerns about the security of their political future have caused the upheaval in the island nation.

Before leaving for New York, Qarase said developments since the elections last year had shown that indigenous Fijian's rights were not protected in 1997's multi-racial constitution.

He also said he would attempt to reassure the international community that the rights of all citizens in Fiji would be fully preserved and that the political crisis in Fiji could be resolved without any international intervention.

Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate in Suva has warned the Fiji military that they are not above the law.

The comments came during the appearance of three George Speight's supporters in the Suva Magistrates court on charges relating to the May coup.

Defence counsel for one of the accused claimed members of the military had assaulted the man, resulting in his hospitalisation.

- FIJI VILLAGE and HERALD ONLINE STAFF