Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Rabuka proposes Fiji committee to avert coups

Posted at 23:09 on 19 October, 2012 UTC

A former Fiji coup-maker Sitiveni Rabuka has suggested military and civilian leaders co-operate in a special committee after elections in order to avoid future coups.

He says the committee would be a way of keeping tabs on relations to prevent them breaking down again.

Mr Rabuka told delegates to a conference on democracy in the Pacific in Christchurch there is hope for better relations after the 2014 elections and the committee should only be a temporary solution for restoring full democracy.

“The conference system I suggest here could be the best bet in maintaining good civil/military relations. And while it provides a great check and balance venue it removes the fallacy of the democratic victor taking all in a democratic society.”

Mr Rabuka says he may stand as an independent in the elections.

He has also suggested an offer of forgiveness from the Great Council of Chiefs for regime leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama is a way forward.