Samoan PM attacks Fiji's Bainimarama

In an extraordinary verbal attack on a neighbour, Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele has claimed Fiji's military is planning to stay in power for another decade.

In the Samoan Government newspaper Savali, Tuilaepa he called on Fijian people to reclaim their government.

"I strongly believe that Bainimarama has no intention of relinquishing power and returning Fiji to democratic government," Tuilaepa says.

He had heard military chiefs in Suva were talking up to a decade of military rule.

"Therefore that's a clear indication that Bainimarama has no intention whatsoever of holding general elections and returning his country to democratic rule."

Tuilaepa said the commodore was "stealing public money" by appointing himself as finance minister and paying himself F$200,000 (NZ$207,000) in unclaimed leave.

"And yet he has been telling everybody that he needs to clean up Fiji of corruption. I think it's a classic case of do as I say and not as I do."

He said Fiji was losing aid money because neither the United Nations nor the Commonwealth had funds "to prop up unelected dictators and coup-installed military regimes....

"It's a clear indication of how green Bainimarama is. He doesn't understand these things."

The Samoan prime minister noted that last week the military appointed Fiji Police Chief, Esala Teleni, had attacked his Indian police for not joining his Christian crusade and accepting Jesus Christ.

"That's what madmen who appoint themselves to office do. They appoint other madmen to positions of power," Tuilaepa said.

"Those actions are reminiscent of Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler. Well where are they now? And how are they remembered?"

He said there was still hope for the commodore, if he held elections and disbanded the military. He asked why Fiji even had an army.

"Perhaps Bainimarama fears a combined canoe attack from Tuvalu and Kiribati, its closest neighbours. That must be it.... Having a prime minister dressed up in army beret and full military garb is a bit ridiculous....

"It's time for Fijians to wake up. Wake up now. Stand up and reclaim your government. It is your God-given right."

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