PM knew about 2000 Coup

posted 30 Aug 2004

Fiji Labour Party has lodged an official complaint to police against Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase alleging he had prior knowledge of the May 2000 coup.

The complaint comes two years after the Labour MP, Mr Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi, made the first allegation in the Lower House.

Prime Minister Qarase had challenged the FLP on February 22, 2002 to provide concrete proof or withdraw its claims.

FLP Member of Parliament Poseci Bune believes he now has the evidence and has lodged a complaint at the Central Police Station on Saturday.

In his report, Mr Bune refers to two specific meetings, which he says implicates the Prime Minister.

Mr Bune has also reported allegations against Mr Qarase on having instructed military Commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to remove President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, following a meeting at the Fijian Holdings Limited offices.

Bune is requesting a police investigation. He says the onus is on the Prime Minister to clear himself of any involvement in the 2000 Coup.

These allegations continue to surround the Prime Minister’s Office.  In the Upper House last week, Senator Jim Ah Koy, said former Senator Adi Finau Tabakaucoro had informed him of the Prime Minister’s knowledge of the plans for the overthrow of the People’s Coalition Government.