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Fijian army warns against troop cut

WELLINGTON: The Fiji military has voiced concerns over the planned tabling of a Defence White Paper, saying that if its recommendations are implemented, ``it could result in Fiji facing a crisis.''

The white paper has proposed slashing the strength of the army from 3,300 to just 1,700.

The paper also recommends that the Government reassert civilian control over the army.

It said its recommendations are designed to ensure that ``there is no excuse for the military to enter domestic politics.'' However, army spokesman Major Neumi Leweni called on Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase to keep his pre-election promise that there would be no staff cuts. — Xinhua

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