Rebels and military talk as deadline approaches

By NAOMI LARKIN

SUVA - Fiji's rebel leaders and the military were locked in 11th-hour talks last night as the exclusion zone deadline approached.

A delegation from George Speight's rebel camp began discussions with the Head of State, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, and other military top brass around 5.30 pm at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Suva.

The talks, aimed at resolving the 50-day-old hostage crisis, involved at least two of Speight's legal advisers and Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, a paramount chief from the province of Naitasiri, who is mediating.

The talks were to focus on a proposal presented to the military on Thursday night by representatives from Naitasiri.

Military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini said yesterday that the proposal involved the military handing over executive power to the Great Council of Chiefs. The council would then call an urgent meeting.

Under the agreement the 27 hostages being held in Suva's parliamentary complex would be released on the same day as the meeting and the arms held by the rebel camp returned to the military.

"This is really the first serious drive towards a solution," Colonel Tarakinikini said. "The proposal brought up by the province of Naitasiri was very practical."

But he stressed that the military's firm stance would remain.

"The military is acting with a lot of restraint ... We are hoping that the talks can progress but the stand of the military remains firm."

However, the commitment of the military to impose its military exclusion deadline - due to expire at midnight last night - was unclear yesterday.

Under the ban everyone, including those inside Parliament and residents surrounding the complex, had 48 hours to leave the area. From midnight all those within the area would be viewed as hostile by the military and arrested.

The decree also gives the military power to take over any land or buildings and restrict services such as water and electricity.

But rebel spokesman Joe Nata told the Weekend Herald last night: "We will not move."

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