Intervention wanted

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 3

Intervention wanted

By

LINDA MILLAR,

NZPA political reporter Wellington A member of the deposed Fijian Government wants military intervention by New Zealand and Australia to help resolve the crisis in his country. Mr Rishi Shankar, who came to New Zealand soon after the coup, said he had originally thought independent observers should be sent to Fiji and that a peace-keeping force might later be needed. But he now believed the time had come for mili-

tary intervention. “I think Australia and New Zealand are in the best situation to do so for us,” he said. The deposed Prime Minister, Dr Timoci Bavadra, has written to the Australian and New Zealand Governments asking for assistance. Mr Shankar said he believed military assistance was the only interpretation that could be put on the request. While he said he had only praise for New Zealand he felt the time had come for more decisive action. The Fijian Government

has 47 officers training in New Zealand and two battalions serving in the Middle East. Mr Shankar said he believed the two battalions might not be sufficient. “I am also hopeful that if they see the size of the opposition that go for our protection, the Fijian Army would not fire any shots. They would surrender.” Mr Shankar said he had not been in Parliament when the Army stormed in but was on the other side of the island. When he heard of the coup he went into hiding before returning to his home.