Fiji´s PM drops amnesty bill as military commander returns

Source: Xinhuanet | 11-04-2006 15:50

Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase prepares to drink a bowl of Kava, a traditional Fijian beverage, outside Fiji''s Parliament building in Suva Nov. 3, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

CANBERRA, Nov. 4, (Xinhua) -- Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase announced Saturday that he had dropped an amnesty bill for the plotters of a 2000 coup, as military commander Frank Bainimarama returned home from a Middle East trip, said news reports from Suva, capital of the country.

"I want to say that quite categorically now that there is no longer an amnesty provision in the new bill. It is a changed bill, substantially changed," Qarase told reporters in Suva.

The military commander had demanded the prime minister drop two proposed bills including the truth and reconciliation bill that included the amnesty provision or be forced from office.

But he said the revised Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity bill would still need to be approved by the cabinet and parliament.

Qarase welcomed the return of Bainimarama Saturday, saying "It's good that he is back and I hope that he and I can talk as early as possible next week."

He said there would not be another coup in Fiji. "There are no indications for a coup. The situation in Fiji is very normal."

The prime minister said, "The military has already given the assurance there will be no coup and I take their word for it."

Editor:Wang Ping