Fiji must admit 2000 coup was wrong: Army - Fiji Times Online: "THERE will not be any reconciliation in Fiji unless the people recognise that the events of 2000 were wrong, the army says.

Fiji Military Forces Commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said he was 'frustrated, disturbed and disappointed' over the release of Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and Ratu Josefa Dimuri from jail 10 days after being sent there on coup-related charges.

He said harping about reconciliation in recent months was a sham when those responsible for the political turmoil were let loose.

Commodore Bainimarama said the release of the former Lands Minister and a senator 'made a mockery of the military, police and the judiciary'.

'The judiciary has been grossly undermined. One wonders whether the principle that everyone is equal under the law still rings true in Fiji,' he said.

He said all citizens of Fiji should challenge the release of the pair because it questioned the integrity and motives of the decision-makers.

'To compound the matter further, there is now talk of the two convicts returning to the helm of leadership of this country.

'Where are the qualities of good leadership that we have been harping about in the last few months through reconciliation that is supposed to take us forward.

'The RFMF says this is a farce as they only take themselves to court to pretend they were following the rule of law because we are all watching, but they bend the Constitution to suit them, getting their hefty pay packets while serving jail sentences outside jail.'

Commodore Bainimarama said leaders should have a good look at themselves and check if they had what 'it takes to lead Fiji and its people'.

He said there were elements in society who would sacrifice the greater good for their own selfish agenda. Commodore Bainimarama said the release had not taken into account the trauma and suffering of the people of the North.

'It has not taken into account the pain and the stress convic"