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FIJI: COUP LATEST

(28 Jun 2000) English/Nat XFA Fiji's military rulers are to appoint a new civilian government - in defiance of coup leader George Speight's demand for a role in the interim government. Speight and his group began occupying parliament on May 19 and took most of the island nation's government hostage. The renegades released four hostages at the weekend, but refused to release any more until their demand for a role in government was met. Fiji's military rulers said on Wednesday they will appoint a new civilian government in the island nation without consulting further with the gunmen holding 27 members of its ousted government hostage. The rebels had demanded a role in the interim government before releasing the hostages. On Tuesday, the military had issued an ultimatum giving rebel leader George Speight 24 hours to agree to sign an accord that would pave the way for the immediate release of the hostages and establish procedures to appoint the new government. Military spokesman Lt Col Filipo Tarakinikini said that the whole country was being held to ransom, making the ultimatum the only practical step to take, adding that they could not allow themselves to be taken down one concession at a time. Late on Tuesday, Speight rejected the military's ultimatum, saying any attempt to appoint a new government without the rebels' input would invite the wrath of the people. Earlier, his chief military adviser, Major Ilisoni Ligairi, had warned that the captives would die if the military launched an armed rescue attempt. On Wednesday, Tarakinikini said that steps were already being taken to form the new interim government which it is planned will rule for up to two years until new elections are scheduled. SOUNDBITE: (English) "What happens beyond the release of the hostages I cannot predict at this point in time but the framework we have put in place is one I have already mentioned, that after the 24 hour deadline ceased today, Mr Speight and his group are now out of the talks as far as the formation of an interim government is concerned. We are now taking serious steps towards naming a line-up and swearing them in, giving them ministerial powers, so that they can continue with the administration of our country. Beyond that we are looking at the release of the hostages." SUPER CAPTION: Lt Col Filipo Tarakinikini, military spokesman But he did say that the army's offer of amnesty for Speight and his group still stands and the door was still open for negotiations, but only if the hostages were not harmed. Talks broke down between the gunmen and the military over the weekend after Speight refused to sign the accord, despite having said that he would, and made new demands. Most of the rebels' demands to disenfranchise Fiji's Indians have already been met, including the firing of Chaudhry and the elimination of the country's 1997 multiracial constitution. The rebels released four female hostages on Sunday, but talks soon broke down about freeing the other 27 captives. On Wednesday the rebels reacted to the military's announcement by saying they would not accept the authority of the interim government, but would not go into detail about their plans for retaliation. SOUNDBITE: (English) "It will set back negotiations right back to square one because we will not accept any government formed by the military, we will not accept some of the people who are in it, and we will not recognise their authority to rule this country, and we have plans, contingency plans, to counter that." SUPER CAPTION: Jo Nata, rebel spokesman Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...