Fiji political fugitive Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara has lashed out at Solomon Islands Prime Minister Danny Philip, for supporting Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama resume chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement New Zealand on Saturday night, Ratu Mara said the Prime Minister Danny Philip conveniently forgets that "many Fijian soldiers gave their lives for that country during World War Two and now he is siding with an unelected, illegal and corrupt regime."He said with the support of the Solomon Islands, the illegal Fiji regime has resumed chairmanship of the MSG and its plan is to use it as a front against Australia and New Zealand.
Mr. Mara is departing New Zealand for Tonga today, and plans to make a whirlwind tour to the US and around the Pacific over the next month to promote his "pro-democracy" cause.
The former lieutenant-colonel and a key officer in the 2006 military coup plans to visit Samoa, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
It is understood that he will return to Auckland for the Pacific Islands Forum in early September.