SUVA, Fiji (AP) - Fiji's interim government
announced a major Cabinet reshuffle Friday, dropping nine
ministers 14 months ahead of proposed national elections that
would return the South Pacific nation to democracy after a 2006
military coup.
Military chief Frank Bainimarama, the interim
prime minister, brought in four new ministers and cut his
ministry to 12 ministers from 18 in what he called a "compact
and streamlined" Cabinet.
"We cannot please everyone, but we must have
ministers who have the best interest of the nation to serve the
people. This cabinet will deliver basic services to the people,"
he said.
The reshuffle comes a year after Bainimarama
seized power and 14 months ahead of promised elections to return
the coup-prone nation to democratic rule.
Among the new ministers is the head of Fiji's
peacekeeping contingent in Iraq, Commander Timoci
Lesikivatukoula, who will take the transportation and public
works portfolio.
Fiji has some 500 troops in Iraq, most guarding
the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad.
Senior sources within Fiji's ruling military
council, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were
not authorized to speak to the media, said Fiji's land force
commander, Col. Pita Driti, will replace Commander
Lesikivatukoula in Iraq.
