SUVA, Fiji (22 June 2000) -- Military officials and rebel leader George Speight are close to an agreement on the release of the hostages. According to some reports, the hostages could be released later today or tomorrow. The release will come after both sides sign an accord that stipulates terms for the release of 31 politicians, including Fiji's prime minister, held by rebel leader George Speight since the May 19 coup. The terms of the accord call for the rebels to surrender their arms, amnesty for Speight and his core group and the role of the military while Fiji is governed by an interim administration. Speight wants Indo-Fijians banned from government positions but said he would accept appointments made by the new president. | | Racist rebel leader George Speight: "We will not be deterred by multiculturalism" Speight's coup has pushed the island nation to the brink of economic ruin and turned Fiji into the pariah of the south Pacific. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
