Fiji Coup Leader Claims He May "Retire"

Fiji coup leader George Speight said Monday he will "retire" if the country's tribal chiefs do not support his attempt to seize power.

Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs is due to meet on Tuesday to discuss Speight's attempted coup in which he took Prime Minister Mahendry Chaudhry and some of his cabinet hostages last Friday. "If the chiefs requested 'George retire', I'd retire," he told journalists.

Speight's comments may signal the first weakening of his resolve to take control of the country and mean he could be considering a way out of the situation.

Speight's chances of success retreated further on Monday when an indigenous Fijian leader refused to join his coup attempt. Apisai Tora, leader of the Taukei Movement, said he sympathized with Speight's cause but did not approve of his methods, the fijilive website reported.

Tora is a fierce proponent of the indigenous cause and he revived the Taukei Movement in April with the aim of ousting the Indian-dominated Chaudhry Government.

Tora also said the Taukei Movement had nothing to do with Speight's attempt to topple the government. He said he had his own more logical plan to achieve change.

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