GANG RAPE IN COUP
By Frederica Elbourne

July 8, 2004 - (Fiji Sun) Gang rape and heathen worship took place in the parliamentary complex at the height of the May 2000 crisis, the treason trial was told yesterday.

Lieutenant Colonel Viliame Volavola left the area because he said, such behaviour offended his moral principles.“The worship of God in parliament was two-faced,” he said. “They requested the help of the kalou vu or heathen gods. They planned an attack on the Government while worshipping God. There were immoral acts around parliament where girls were raped,” his statement said.

His police statement read out in the High Court yesterday revealed his dissent towards Iliesa Duvuloco and some chiefs for their arrogance and dictatorial attitude towards George Speight.

The court heard how Speight did not appear to have control over some quarters of parliament, and of his close association with the Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, Rakuita Vakalalabure.

Lt Col Volavola described lawyers Vodo Tuberi, Tevita Bukarau, Kitione Vuetaki and Alipate Qetaki as prominent members with little minds whose purpose in parliament was unclear at that time.

His statement, read by the manager of the police major fraud unit, Acting Superintendent Waisea Tabakau, mentioned how his advice to the Commander Voreqe Bainimarama helped formulate the Muanikau Accord.

Commander Bainimarama wanted to answer all police questions of Lt Col Volavola’s involvement in the coup, the court heard.

Lt Col Volavola maintained he had no foreknowledge of the coup and was surprised to see armed men jump into the House and surround the Secretariat’s table at around 11am on May 19, 2000. 

He said male MPs were tied with their hands behind their backs while they were told it was for everyone’s sake, and in support of the chiefs. “I got very angry with this statement but couldn’t do anything.

My intention in the initial stages was honourable,’” he said. The former backbencher in the Chaudhry government said Speight promised him the position of Urban Development minister. His role during the coup was to convey to the public, discussions from Speight’s meetings and this, according to Mr Volavola, was carried out once a day.

He did not agree with the looting and burning of Suva on the eve of May 19, and this was amongst reasons behind his departure from parliament.

He learnt from the corridors of parliament that Colonel Ulaiasi Vatu was to take over as military commander while Lt Col Filipo Tarakinikini was to become Chief of Staff.

“There was celebration in parliament when the military took power from the (then) President Ratu Mara, but the military agenda was different from Speight who wanted the Great Council of Chiefs to appoint leaders of the country. But the military believed the GCC was too involved and politicised,” Lt Col Volavola said.

Having finally left parliament on June 1, he was called up by the military on June 5 and was surprised with the reception, which resulted in him donning his military uniform.

From: http://www.sun.com.fj/