(1 Jun 2000) English/Nat
The financial effects are starting to be felt in Suva as Fiji's political crisis lingers on into its thirteenth day.
Some farmers - feeling threatened by the supporters of coup leader George Speight - are avoiding taking their produce into Suva - a move which is driving up produce prices.
And the uncertainty of the situation - not knowing how long the crises could last or who will comprise Fiji's next government - is prompting Fijians to withdraw their cash.
Long queues could be seen outside banks and money machines in Suva on Thursday.
Thirteen days into Fiji's political crisis, the nation's new military leader has warned it could be years before democratic are held again.
Commodore Frank Bainimaramaoi assumed control of Fiji on Monday evening after declaring martial law to deal with a coup on the nation's parliament.
Stymied in attempts to free hostages held inside parliament, Fiji's new military ruler said Wednesday it might be years before democratic elections could be held.
The military leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, accused rebel leader George Speight of dodging talks on releasing the captives he has held for 13 days.
Bainimarama said Speight's group kept avoiding the issue, but he also ruled out force to end the standoff, in the interests of the protecting lives of hostages.
Speight has achieved most of his aims - the removal of Fiji's president and prime minister, the scrapping of the constitution, and a promise of amnesty for himself and his supporters.
But Speight, who says he represents the majority Fijians against the minority Indians, told an Australian TV interviewer he would keep the captives "for as long as is necessary."
He called the hostages' "discomfort" a small price to pay for the injustices done to Fijians.
Fijians of Indian ancestry make up 44 percent of the population of 813,000 on the Pacific island, but control much of the nation's commerce in this country 2,250 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia.
Speight on Thursday challenged the nation's new military leaders to come to the parliament building and listen to him and tribal chiefs before making any more decisions about how to end the crisis.
By Thursday afternoon, such a meeting was taking place.
Speight wants Fiji's tribal chiefs, who hold no constitutional power but are highly respected in the country, to play a major role in the appointment of a new government.
Bainimarama on Wednesday named an interim prime minister, Ratu Epeli Neilatikau, whose wife is among the captives as is the prime minister at the start of the crisis, Mahendra Chaudhry.
The military leader, however, said he would postpone the formation of a civilian government.
He later said he would not name new ministers until the hostages were freed.
A military spokesman, Lt. Col. Filipo Tarakinikini, said that even after the hostage crisis ends, the military leaders might have to consider what to do about forming a new government.
"We may run a much more efficient administration with the military," Tarakinikini said.
Bainimarama said an interim government would draw up a new constitution and prepare for new elections but warned that the process could take up to three years.
Speight said after talks on Wednesday night between his representatives and the military that the concept of a military government being in place in Fiji until a new constitution could be written was unacceptable.
Bainimarama told a news conference in the capital, Suva, he had personally guaranteed that Speight and six gunmen who stormed parliament on May 19 would receive amnesty.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...