0
Split erupts within Fijian military regime
The Fijian military government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama is confronting a major crisis in the wake of a call by former army chief of staff Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara for “regime change.”
The Fijian military government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama is confronting a major crisis in the wake of a call by former army chief of staff Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara for “regime change.”
Fiji’s runaway colonel is making plans to seek political asylum in New Zealand despite threats from Fiji’s military that Wellington would be “most unwise” to shelter the fugitive.
Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Busby Kautoke has responded to Bainimarama’s claim that Tonga breached Fijian sovereignty in the rescue of Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara as strictly a “humanitarian act.”
via Cabinet Secretary lashes at Fijian claim of breaching sovereignty | Tonga News | Taimi Media Network.
In strongly worded statement, Tonga’s Secretary to Cabinet, Busby Kautoke, has claimed “the full might of Fijian Sea Power” was used to “officially vandalise” a piece of Tonga.
Government officials are looking into whether ex-Fiji army chief Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara could be given political asylum, Prime Minister John Key says.
Lt Col Mara sparked controversy when he fled Tonga after being charged with sedition.
The New Zealand government is considering offering political asylum to a fugitive Fijian military man at the centre of a diplomatic row.
AN application by the Fiji government for the extradition of Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara back to Fiji to face a sedition charge was received by the Tongan government yesterday, May 23, Busby Kautoke, Tonga’s Chief Secretary and the Secretary to Cabinet confirmed this afternoon, May 24.
Tonga’s top officials have gathered for a special Cabinet Retreat on the island of Vava’u to review the progress made by the new Government, and make strategic plans for the future. Cabinet Retreat targets strategic plans for Tonga’s future
via Pacific.scoop.co.nz » Cabinet Retreat targets strategic plans for Tonga’s future.
May 20, 2011 – The Tongan government has announced that it would be the first ‘electronic parliament’ in the world. This is being made possible because China has donated 30 new Dell laptop PCs to the legislature.
via Tonga set to be first ‘electronic parliament’ | Scoop News.
Fiji’s military regime has questioned a surf instructor, a fisherman and a businessman it believes aided a former top officer’s “planned and deliberate” escape to Tonga.