Officer poses as Fiji military boss in radio interview

An investigation is under way in Fiji into why a junior officer apparently impersonated the nation's military chief in an interview on Australian radio.

Radio Australia thought it was conducting a phone interview with Fiji's powerful military chief, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

It later turned out the ABC international broadcaster had merely spoken to Captain Roderick Narayan, Bainimarama's personal staff officer.

Radio Australia has apologised for any concern the interview might have caused, but says the man interviewed in a broadcast on Monday had claimed to be Bainimarama and was addressed by that name.

"It was probably a misunderstanding and the officer who has responsibility has been taken to task and full investigations are under way," military spokesman Captain Neumi Leweni told a Fiji radio station.

The military also played down concerns the incident represented a split in the leadership of the military.

The Fiji Sun quoted Bainimarama as saying: "I am not disappointed that this happened because it was a mistake.

"I was busy and my officer answered the phone, he answered a few questions, but there is no big deal to it."

The officer was interviewed by presenter Geraldine Coutts on the Pacific Beat programme about the military's strong opposition to a government bill which would enable amnesties for those involved in Fiji's 2000 coup.

Bainimarama has previously threatened to remove the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase if the legislation is passed, prompting talk of sacking or disciplining the military leader.

Qarase said he was concerned about the bogus interview but would have to listen to it before commenting further.

- AAP