Chiefs to meet with George Speight's mediators

4:00 PM

SUVA - Delegations representing Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs and coup leader George Speight are scheduled to meet today near Suva.

Ro Filipe Tuisawau, who is one of George Speight's 'mediators,' says his group will present a counter proposal to the Great Council resolutions they rejected yesterday.

Mr Speight continues to insist on the abolition of the 1997 Constitution and the removal of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara from the office of President. He also wants amnesty for himself and his men.

The Great Council has agreed to the removal of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his government, the formation of an interim government involving Speight, a review of the constitution, and a 'prerogative of mercy' for the rebels rather than a full amnesty.

Mr Tuisawau says the Spieght proposal will be presented to the chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs,' Sitiveni Rabuka, who then must inform the chiefs. Many chiefs have already left Suva following a 3-day crisis meeting which ended yesterday.

The rebels continue to hold Mr Chaudhry and approximately 30 other members of parliament hostage in the parliament complex in Suva.

- FIJI VILLAGE NEWS

More Fiji coup coverage

Main players in the Fiji coup

Under seige: map of the Parliament complex