FIJI ASSASSINATION PLOT: COMPLICATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000522 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PHUM FJ SUBJECT: FIJI ASSASSINATION PLOT: COMPLICATIONS REF: A. SUVA 480 ¶B. SUVA 518 Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D). Ten charged in Fiji assassination plot -------------- ¶1. (C) Fiji authorities charged 10 persons late on Nov. 6 for alleged participation in a plot to assassinate interim PM Bainimarama and others (reftels). The group includes the Naitasiri Province High Chief, retired RFMF Colonels Baledrokadroka and Mua, businessman Naulago Waqa, politician Peceli Rinakama, and five ex-RFMF soldiers. Each of the 10 is charged with counts of inciting of an RFMF Major and Corporal to mutiny, and conspiracy to murder Bainimarama, RFMF Col. Saumatua, RFMF LtCol Qiliho, interim Finance Minister Chaudhry, and interim AG Sayed-Khaiyum. Some reports indicate treason charges may also be laid. Another suspect, Ballu Khan, remains hospitalized and has not yet been taken to court. It may be that Khan and his bodyguards were the only ones beaten prior to interrogation. We are told the bodyguards were not as severely beaten as Khan. Reportedly, a few of the 16 initially taken in have been released. Prosecutors initially reluctant to assist -------------- ¶2. (C) When the Fiji Police requested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to lay charges in court, the ODPP initially declined to do so. Media reports suggest the issue was jurisdictional, that Police had not involved ODPP prior to the arrests. Reportedly a police officer threatened to arrest the DPP and his Deputy if they refused to assist today in court. An ODPP source says the reason for reluctance was that the DPP office has serious concerns about the strength of the evidence produced thus far and wanted to carefully consider any charges. However, delay could have required releasing suspects from jail, so security authorities pressed hard. Police Commissioner Teleni and RFMF lawyer Aziz visited with DPP Naigulevu, assured him he was not about to be arrested, and convinced him to assist. An unhappy Deputy DPP went to the criminal courts in late afternoon. Deposed PM no longer on arrest list -------------- ¶3. (C) Deposed PM Qarase told us he had it on good authority that he was initially one those to be arrested, but today his name was removed from the list. Bainimarama seeks to mollify Aussies, Kiwis, and NGOs -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Interim PM Bainimarama addressed the media today. He urged all, including tourists, to go on with their lives as Fiji authorities continue investigations following due process of law. Bainimarama noted Teleni's suggestion on Nov. 3 that NGOs and neighboring countries may have been involved in the plot. That suggestion triggered a strongly negative reaction from Aussie and Kiwi leaders. Bainimarama today said "at no time have we directly implicated Australia and New Zealand in this foiled assassination plot." He said if Fiji authorities had such evidence, they would have communicated it to the country concerned. He said he very much regrets "distorted and sensational reporting on this matter over the past few days," and he urged neighbors to "bear with us as we seek to adhere to key principles of good governance in dealing with this grave situation." He pleaded with Australia and New Zealand in particular: "please respect our sovereignty as we respect yours." Bainimarama went on to assure NGOs that "if you have not violated the laws of this land, you have nothing to fear." DINGER