Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says the military respects the church and traditional leaders, and meant no disrespect when it took over leadership of the country in 2006.
“Sega ni kena i naki ya me kalawaci na lotu, se na vanua se na turaga ni vanua (The purpose was not to overstep the church, the vanua or chiefs),” Commodore Bainimarama told Narocake villagers at a meeting in Rewa yesterday.
He said the major objective was to rid the nation of dirty politics, including racial politics, to allow for national development and prosperity.
A senior member of the Methodist Church in Fiji has called on the country’s armed forces not to obey the military government.
Former Methodist Church president Josateki Koroi says soldiers are not obliged to obey the present government because it is not legal.
He told Radio Australia soldiers have a duty as Christians to question any orders they might get to shoot at people.
Mr Koroi said: “This should be the stand of the loyal citizens and also a stand of a Christian person in whatever government, a legal government, is in charge.”
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