(2 Jun 2000) English/Nat
XFA
The coup leader in Fiji, George Speight, said that he plans to release the hostages over the weekend.
Armed rebels are holding more than 30 hostages in Fiji's parliament.
Speight met with the country's new military leader on Friday.
The crisis in Fiji is close to resolving.
The breakthrough came late Thursday after Speight met for the first time with military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
After that meeting, the military said the hostages would likely be freed within 24-36 hours, while a Speight spokesman suggested they would remain captive until after the meeting with the Great Council of Chiefs.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Today is the first meeting with Mister George Speight and Commodore Frank Bainimarama. And it was also first meeting where we've had a very major breakthrough. I think we can safely say that in the next 24-36 hours you'll start seeing a lot of positive things coming out of parliament."
SUPER CAPTION: Eroni Volavola, military spokesman
Speight's captives include deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, the first ethnic Indian to be elected to that position in Fiji.
Speight said his rebels and the military have agreed to put various issues before the Great Council of Chiefs meeting.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm confident that everything will be resolved at the Great Council of Chiefs meeting on Monday. Before that Commodore Bainimarama and myself have given each other personal undertakings: that we will address the situation of those who are detained, the situation of the arms, that are held by myself which originated out of the armory of the military forces as well as the ammunition, and thirdly the issue of the presence of the army in public and their return back to barracks."
SUPER CAPTION: Coup Leader, George Speight
In a sign that the military is on good terms with Speight and his rebels, the coup leader sat for an hour after the meeting drinking kava, a traditional mild sedative, with Bainimarama.
Earlier Friday a mob of about 100 Speight supporters were involved in a stand-off with troops and police outside the gates of parliament.
The mob - many armed with clubs and sticks - tried to move down the road toward Suva but were turned back by around 12 armed troops and unarmed police.
Both the military and Speight's rebels have agreed that the council, made up of tribal chiefs from throughout Fiji, should have the final say on how to end the standoff.
Although the council has little legislative power, it commands considerable respect and influence among the indigenous majority in this Pacific island nation.
The chiefs will be given a straightforward choice on Monday: either allow the military to continue running Fiji until a new constitution is drawn up and fresh elections called or allow a civilian government led by Speight to guide Fiji to elections.
Speight claims he has the chiefs' backing for the formation of a civilian government with Speight at its head.
What appears clear is that Fiji will become an international outcast whichever option the chiefs back.
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