Shots raise Fiji coup tension

SUVA - Journalists were forced to dive for cover last night when shots were fired as they entered the grounds of Parliament in Suva - scene of the ongoing Government hostage drama.

About 20 reporters and photographers, including two from the Herald, huddled nervously after a volley of shots rang out just as they were being escorted inside Parliament Grounds for the first time since Friday's gunpoint coup. No one was hurt.

The shots came as the crisis go-between, Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, said President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara had signalled that he was prepared to step down provided a request came from the Great Council of Chiefs, which is due to meet tomorrow.

There were fears last night that the shots signalled a deteriorating relationship between the armed rebels holding Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his cabinet, and the soldiers and police officers manning roadblocks around Parliament Grounds.

The shots seemed to come from the submachine gun of one of the rebels - who are led by businessman George Speight - hiding in bush about 30m away.

There were several theories about who fired the shots and why. One Fijian journalist suggested the rebels were trying to frighten the police while Speight's men said it was an accident.

Speight himself suggested the shots were fired by "third parties" intent on "creating a situation against the honourable intentions of non-confrontation" but he did not say who they might be.

Speight also talked of apprehending journalists he suggested had deliberately filed "emotional reports" aimed at "stirring up confrontation."

A second wave of journalists was ushered in as the first group was taken by gunmen into a small room, where they were lined up against the wall and threatened with remarks such as, "You better watch your step."

There was no sign of Speight at this stage and the journalists, including at least one from New Zealand, said they felt as though they were to become the next lot of hostages.

The gunmen seemed hyped up but eventually released them.

At his first meeting with journalists Speight denied he was threatening the media. It is clear he wants them close by so he can send his messages to the world. He was furious that police had ordered reporters and photographers to move about 1km from their established position outside Parliament.

Speight said his men were well trained and he appeared to confirm theories that he is backed by at least some in the military. Some reports say his right-hand man is a British SAS trainer.

"I want to reassure the world at large ... that my people are very highly trained and qualified in situations of this kind," he said.

He said Ratu Mara was irresponsible to suggest that the rebels would begin shooting the hostages. "To suggest we would embark on such an action as a means of resolution is just irresponsible and crazy."

Ratu Mara - whose daughter is among those held in Parliament - refused to meet Speight yesterday, claiming that the rebels would shoot hostages if he did not hand over power immediately.

He also ordered Fiji Television to stop broadcasting statements from the rebels.

Speight said he had met General Rabuka yesterday for further talks aimed at ending the siege, and was looking forward to doing so again, although the Website fijilive.com reported that he no longer trusted the former military chief and Prime Minister.

On Fiji Television yesterday, General Rabuka said Ratu Mara had offered to seek the resignation of Mr Chaudhry so that an indigenous Fijian could be appointed Prime Minister, but the rebels rejected the offer.

They said they wanted Ratu Mara to step down also and General Rabuka said the President was prepared to go, provided it was at the request of the Great Council of Chiefs.

Asked if Ratu Mara was prepared to step down, he said: "Yes, if it was the wish of the [council] because we all know the President. He has always served in accordance with his calling."

On Saturday, Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister, Tupeni Baba, appealed for the Army not to use force. He appeared briefly alongside Speight and Mr Chaudhry to deliver a prepared statement.

"In a nutshell, we believe that the Army must not be allowed to intervene offensively," he said. "My advice is that we give absolutely every priority to calm and competent negotiations or we will lose everything, including our visions for Fiji for the future."

Mr Chaudhry was not allowed to speak and when reporters tried to ask questions, Speight shoved him aside.

The Red Cross said yesterday that Mr Chaudhry was well despite reports that he had been beaten and had collapsed on Saturday.

Early yesterday the rebels freed 21 hostages - nine MPs, 11 parliamentary staff and a bodyguard.