Bainimarama awarded for 'humanity'
BY MICHAEL FIELD
Relevant offers
Fiji's dictator Voreqe Bainimarama has been given a medal for services to humanity.
State owned Fiji Broadcasting said Bainimarama was awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji by ailing 89-year-old President Josefa Iloilo.
Bainimarama's award is based on his "eminent achievement and merit of highest degree and service to Fiji and to humanity at large".
Two of his leading co-conspirators in the 2006 coup have also been given medals.
Colonel Aziz Mohammed and Land Force Commander Colonel Pita Driti have been given the Officer of Order of Fiji Awards.
Mohammed, a legal officer, has written most of the key decrees while Driti has been an outspoken supporter of Bainimarama, while at the same time hinting he might one day rule Fiji.
Fiji Broadcasting said the medals were given in a ceremony at Government House in the presence of international media who are only allowed, by the terms of their visas, to report positive news.
- Stuff.co.nz
Sponsored links
Fraudster's $59m luxury shopping spree brings 15 years jail
US Marines posed with Nazi symbol
Drifting family in dramatic Pacific Ocean rescue
13.6 tons of pure methamphetamine seized
Cameras capture girl's abduction ordeal
Briton wanted in 1993 heist nabbed in US
TV host recovering from dog bite during broadcast
Shock at River Cottage barn blaze
NZ woman's death in Paris explained
Bungled conservation effort kills Sth African rhino
Cruise ship disaster captain knew 'it was over'
Indians sue beer companies sued for alcohol problems
Wellington man fit for trial on wife's murder
Hundreds newly red-zoned but many in limbo
New air force helicopters set to soar
Apple factory hacked amid global activist stunt
Shoppers spend more on credit, debit cards
Flushed necklace returned months later
Fonterra taps NZX to run farmer share trading
Briton wanted in 1993 heist nabbed in US
Another horror show for Michael Campbell
Wrong boot costs adventurer his life
Radio station's divorce promo 'cowardly'
Boy killed by log 'adored by everyone'
Cameras capture girl's abduction ordeal
Infratil founder Lloyd Morrison dies of cancer
NZ woman's death in Paris explained
Resignations at MediaWorks holding company boards
Rick Santorum wins Missouri primary
Santorum claims momentum with upset wins
Radio station's divorce promo 'cowardly'
Boy killed by log 'adored by everyone'
Infratil founder Lloyd Morrison dies of cancer
10,000 aftershocks and still no end in sight
Radio station's divorce promo 'cowardly'
Should Valentine's Day cost you?
Helmet law halves cyclist numbers
All Blacks stars of the show at Halberg Awards
50c an hour increase triggers outrage
