December 16, 2001

By Michael Field 

In Afghanistan's war-ravaged capital Kabul this United Nation's soldier might attract only passing attention, but in the South Pacific, rumour, intrigue and unanswered questions surround him.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Lieutenant Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini was last year almost as well known as failed coup plotter George Speight.

Now a peace keeping planning officer with the UN in New York and part of their mission to Afghanistan, his superiors want him back to face an uncertain future.

In Fiji's small and deeply divided society the rise of a media star inevitably produces jealousy.

He is the son of an Indian doctor and indigenous Fijian mother and a Catholic in a country overwhelmingly Methodist. While senior in the team-playing military, Tarakinikini -- whose name means 'touch, pinch, pinch' -- is a loner.

In Fiji it's no secret that Fijians in the British Special Air Service (SAS) have been deployed behind the lines in Afghanistan. One of last year's coup plotters, Ilisoni Ligairi, had spent most of his adult life doing that kind of SAS work.

But the arrival of Tarakinikini in Kabul has sparked high level tension in Fiji.

He has been with the UN since January 15, and New York has sought an extension of his year-long term.

Last week Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who was initially installed as premier by RFMF head Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, said Tarakinikini's involvement in Kabul was evidence that he was the right choice to represent Fiji in the UN's military work.

But RFMF spokesman Captain Ned Taito said any extension to Tarakinikini's term was a challenge to Bainimarama and he slammed the "personal agendas ... of so-called advisers".

On Friday the RFMF said no to an extension.

"There are sound reasons for recalling (him)... one of which is in relation to further allegations made as to his part in the May 2000 upheaval," the statement said.

"The last thing the RFMF wishes to do is recall him in the middle of his extended attachment to assist in further investigations."

On May 19 last year Speight, Ligairi and a group of soldiers from the RFMF's Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) unit, which was commanded by Tarakinikini but who was not there that day, seized parliament and took Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his government hostage for 56 days. Speight declared a new government and named Tarakinikini RFMF commander.

He did not appear to be active in the coup however and when, on May 29 Bainimarama declared martial law, Tarakinikini, complete in thick combat jacket no matter the weather, became an international star as the RFMF spokesman.

At one point he confirmed to AFP he was under questioning by police but said he was innocent.

"The truth is out there and I'll be free to answer questions on the matter."

In November last year CRW soldiers mutinied, leaving eight dead.

Tarakinikini ceased being spokesman and suddenly found himself under international suspicion.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said Tarakinikini had been a significant player in the coup.

"There is some suspicion that the person that rebel forces have been trying to replace Commodore Bainimarama with is ... Tarakinikini," Goff said.

The soldier said he was "disgusted and appalled" by what was said about him and threatened to sue Goff. He didn't.

The RFMF were not impressed and put him and another officer, Ulaiasi Vatu, under effective house arrest while they were investigated after Captain Shane Stevens, head of the CRW and under arrest following the mutiny, implicated the two.

The UN began to have reservations about Tarakinikini too, but after receiving assurances from Qarase that he was innocent, Tarakinikini was allowed to leave Fiji.

"It will broaden my military experience. So it is certainly the kind of experience that a military officer at this stage of my career would be wanting to go for," he said.

Tarakinikini's star is fading in a court martial underway of 15 soldiers involved in the mutiny, including Stevens. They face death by firing squad.

Affidavits by defence witnesses claim Tarakinikini had always encouraged the soldiers with Speight.

Prosecution witness Major Niko Bukarau told the court that he had heard that Tarakinikini and fellow Lieutenant Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka had sanctioned the removal of weapons from the barracks to parliament when Speight was there.

"He was on my list as the one who resented the appointment of Bainimarama," he told the court.

And if Kabul is a snake-pit of conflicting loyalties and switching allegiances, then Tarakinikini should feel right at home.

Copyright: Michael Field