FIJI: COUP LATEST: HOSTAGE CRISIS

Published 2015-07-21

(2 Jul 2000) English/Nat

Fijians prayed on Sunday for a peaceful outcome to the hostage crisis.

Fiji's army says it will appoint an interim government this week that will include ethnic Indians - despite threats from anti-Indian hostage-takers.

But a former Fijian coup leader says the rebels' bubble will burst.

Fijian women sing uplifting hymns as they walk to church on Sunday.

SOUND-UP:(English)
"We shall overcome."

There have been prayer vigils held around Fiji since the hostage crisis began six weeks ago.

But today the group's prayers for a peaceful outcome seem more fervent.

Fiji's army says it will appoint an interim government this week -- but the rebels say the 27 hostages inside the parliament building will be in danger.

The wife of the Indian Prime Minister who is one of those hostages is calling for divine intervention.

SOUNDBITE:(English)
"Hour by hour goes we look forward for our loved ones to be back with us. Dear Lord, we know it is not easy but you are giving us the comfort. You are giving us the peace and you are giving us the strength."
SUPER CAPTION: Virmati Chaudhry, wife of Prime Minister held hostage

Military spokesman Filipo Tarakinikini said once the new administration is in, the army will secure the hostages' release.

He said the new administration would include ethnic Indians - though he couldn't say how many.

Lieutenant-Colonel Tarakinikini also said he understood some would not want to take part because of fears for safety but said they would be offered personal security.

He also repeated an assurance that coup leader George Speight wouldn't be harmed.

SOUNDBITE:(English)
"We're offering him and his group immunity from prosecution and I don't think it would be in our interest to see him harmed after we have offered him immunity. "
SUPER CAPTION: Lt. Col. Filipo Tarakinikini

But the former Fiji coup leader says Speight's bubble will burst.

SOUNDBITE:(English)
"He won't be able to walk on the streets safely anyway whether he gets amnesty or not.
Question: So what's the option for him then?
"I think if he comes out, he's got to release those hostages and come out and do his traditional thing with each one of them - whether they accept or not, that's their prerogative.
Question: Would it be better if he had a position in Cabinet, would that make it safer?
Well, for him, financially, yes. At the moment, he's got nothing. If he was in Cabinet, he might plead that it's not safe on the streets and ask the Prime Minister whoever is going to be in charge of the government, to give him a body guard."
SUPER CAPTION: Sitiveni Rabuka, Former PM and 1987 coup leader

Fiji stays on alert - waiting for the events of the next week.

Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: www.instagram.com/APNews/

You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/a05b057db5dc494…