Intervention in Fiji unlikely says Goff

By EUGENE BINGHAM political reporter

The firepower of New Zealand's military and police elite remained firmly in the Government's holster last night amid fears international intervention in Fiji could result in bloodshed.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phil Goff, said last night it was "unlikely" specialists such as the Special Air Service or police anti-terrorist unit would be dispatched to Suva to help end the hostage crisis.

Instead, New Zealand would maintain diplomatic pressure, supporting the constitutionally elected Fiji Government and ensuring authorities were aware that any suggestion the Chaudhry Administration might be deposed would result in severe consequences.

Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and other parliamentarians last night remained captives of an armed group led by businessman George Speight. It emerged yesterday that some of the captors were members or former members of a crack SAS-style Fiji Army squad.

"We know they are armed with automatic weapons and we know they have significant military expertise so that places greater emphasis on the need to work your way through, trying to negotiate with the parties," said Mr Goff.

"Any effort to release the hostages by force could well result in a large number of the hostages being killed."

New Zealand has offered to send a team of police negotiators, but Fiji authorities last night declined the offer.

"Our preference would be to see things resolved by negotiation and, if at all possible, Mr Speight and his colleagues would then face the normal legal consequences for kidnapping and holding people at gunpoint.

"It goes beyond being an unlawful and unconstitutional act - indeed it becomes a criminal act."

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the Government expected the constitutionally appointed Government of Mr Chaudhry to be restored.

Reports from Fiji have suggested President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara may be asked to stand down at a meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs tomorrow. Under the 1997 constitution, the council appoints the President.

It has also been suggested that if Ratu Mara stood down he might be replaced by former coup leader and prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Helen Clark said: "I don't think there's any way [Rabuka] would take over as President in any unconstitutional way.

"What is true is that Ratu Mara has just had his 80th birthday.

"We have no suggestion that there would be any unconstitutional replacement."

Mr Goff said it would be preferable for Fiji to have stability and for Ratu Mara to remain President.