Interim PM Delivers Speech In Vanuatu

It was with the utmost reluctance that Fiji's Military, under my leadership, removed the former government from power on December 5th, 2006.

These are the words of the Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama addressing the leaders of the Melanesian Spear Head Group in Vanuatu last night.

In a press statement released, Bainimarama said there have been many critics of this December 5th action and to the critics he said there needs to be a distinction between what happened on December 5th from earlier coup actions in Fiji.

He said Fiji has a coup culture which he is committed to remove, adding he is also committed to democracy and the rule of law.

Bainimarama said to do this all policies which promote racial supremacy and further the interests of social and economic elites need to be removed once and for all.

The Interim Prime Minister calls on the MSG Members to help support and work with Fiji in addressing its fundamental problems. Bainimarama adds the Interim Government's commitment is not only to return Fiji to parliamentary democracy through free and fair elections but to address the deep-rooted problems of our country.