Army told to vote against Govt

A few news articles before the coup and compare with what is happening to our beloved Fiji today. Have a good read guys and give your comments:

Posted on Thursday May 04, 2006
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The commander of the Fiji Military Force says he will tell his soldiers not to vote for a political party that would reduce the size of the army if it wins the General Elections. Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama made the comment as the caretaker Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said there would be no major downsizing of the FMF.

It’s understood the proposal for the reduction is contained in a Defence White Paper which Qarase said had not yet been endorsed by Cabinet. Commodore Bainimarama told Fiji TV he was calling on his people to not to vote for a political party that was "thinking of kicking us out of our jobs by downsizing the military forces number." "This is not interfering with the process of the elections, this is simply telling my people not to vote for a party who is thinking of leaving many officers without a job."

When asked if he was referring to the Qarase-led Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua, Commodore Bainimarama shrugged and replied yes. "If we have to fight with Qarase to keep our troops than we will surely do that," he said.

At a press conference yesterday Qarase said he suspected the media report on the army cuts was based on deliberate misinformation. "It could even be part of a politically inspired campaign to influence voters on the eve of the Elections. "The objective of that would be to create fear about job losses in the rank and file of the Army," Qarase said.

Fijilive
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