Military gives Speight 24 hours to sign accord

SUVA - Fiji's military rulers have given rebels led by George Speight an ultimatum to quickly sign the Muanikau peace accord or be left isolated, without any role in naming a new government.

Lieutenant-Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini yesterday gave Speight's group until late today to sign the deal, which guarantees the almost immediate release of Speight's remaining 27 hostages, including Fiji's ousted Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

The accord also guarantees Speight an amnesty for his May 19 coup if the hostages are released unharmed.

Both camps agreed on the Muanikau accord last Friday but it collapsed within hours when the coup's backers refused to support Speight, their public leader.

Tarakinikini said the military's options if Speight did not sign the accord included going ahead and naming a new civilian government to rule until elections can be held.

However, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is checking the members of the civilian government named in the accord to see if they are still willing to serve in an administration appointed by the military.

Tarakinikini said Fiji, which has been without an effective government for five weeks, needed an administration to get the economy operating.

He met briefly with representatives of Speight's group to deliver the ultimatum, but neither Speight nor the ex-Army major in charge of the hostages, Ilisoni Ligairi, attended.

Tarakinikini said the military had told Speight the accord represented their last offer.

However, he said people should not expect an armed assault to free the hostages.

"We've given them 24 hours to come to a position and come back to us.

"A military option is always there, but it is not one we are intending to use.

"We believe it can be resolved peacefully."

The military is expected to step up pressure around the parliamentary complex where Speight is holding the hostages, enforcing checkpoints more vigorously and limiting food supplies.

Ironically, the Muanikau accord was a soft settlement for Speight's camp. It allowed Speight to nominate some members of an interim government, although the military would have the final say.

Speight's supporters would have been included on a committee to draw up a new constitution, which could ensure some political positions are held only by indigenous Fijians.

As well, a new president would have been free to include Speight or his team in Fiji's new cabinet.

If the deal is not agreed, Speight's camp loses all three options.

- NZPA

More Fiji coup coverage

Main players in the Fiji coup

The hostages

Under seige: map of the Parliament complex

Fiji facts and figures

Images of the coup - a daily record