FEATURE: Deepening rift between Fiji and Tonga

Relations between the Pacific island neighbours of Fiji and Tonga remain tense following a dramatic intervention by the Tongan Navy to whisk away a senior Fijian military officer who is facing charges of sedition.

Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara was a key supporter of Commodore Frank Bainimarama's 2006 coup, but the two have since had a major falling out, as Asia Pacific Focus reports.

Pacific Correspondent Sean Dorney

Last Updated: Mon, 30 May 2011 10:30:00 +1000

SEAN DORNEY, PACIFIC CORRESPONDENT: The Royal Tongan Navy's patrol boat Savea was on its way back home from refurbishing in Australia when passing through Fiji it picked up Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara who claims he was on a fishing trip, got into difficulties and fired a flare.

Fiji's military commander and prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is certain this was no search and rescue mission.

FRANK BAINIMARAMA, FIJIAN PRIME MINISTER (at press conference, Fiji One TV): However we can confirm that the illegal extraction of Ratu Tevita Mara took place one nautical mile north-west of Cape Washington in Kadavu.

The Fijian government takes strong exception to such breaches of Fiji's sovereignty.

CLIVE EDWARDS, TONGA'S PUBLIC ENTERPRISE AND REVENUE MINISTER: It's not what we have been informed. What we have been informed differently as to the distress call at sea and problem at sea where he was picked up.

SEAN DORNEY: Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara was commanding the third Fijian Infantry Regiment when Commodore Bainimarama staged his 2006 coup.

He was heavily involved and was on the military council which effectively took charge of running the country.

However earlier this month Commodore Bainimarama turned on Mara and his former land forces commander Brigadier General Pita Driti.

Driti was charged with inciting mutiny and both of them were charged with uttering seditious comments.

LT COL RATU TEVITA MARA, FUGITIVE IN TONGA: It's a frivolous charge that was brought about allegedly when I was in South Korea last year.

I went with another junior officer from the army. We went to South Korea to look over some of the equipment that we have bought.

He alleges that I said that the words: "This is a (inaudible) government and it needs to go".

SEAN DORNEY: One of the ministers in the government removed in the coup who has since fled to Australia Sam Speight says Ratu Tevita Mara is a significant figure both militarily and traditionally.

His late father Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was Fiji's first prime minister and a distinguished statesman.

SAM SPEIGHT, DEPOSED FORMER FIJI GOVERNMENT MINISTER: He is quite powerful in that respect. And given his chiefly status, you know that counts for something, and his background, the family, his roots, is very obvious to all of us and highly respected.

SEAN DORNEY: Ratu Tevita Mara accuses Commodore Bainimarama of betraying the original aims of the coup.

RATU TEVITA MARA: The cause was noble. We all thought that. The cause was noble. You know we thought that what he was doing was good for the country. Of all the alleged corrupt activities by the previous government, we were going to correct it.

And we were not going to be there for long. In fact he was not supposed to be prime minister.

SEAN DORNEY: In Fiji the search is now on for those who helped Ratu Tevita Mara escape.

ANUTAISA SOKAMURI, FIJIAN POLICE SPOKESMAN: It was not a sea rescue but a planned and deliberate operation.

And right now the big question is who organised the Tonga (inaudible).

SEAN DORNEY: The Fiji Tongan relationship has soured dramatically.

Ratu Tevita Mara is related to the King of Tonga who is providing him with protection and letting him stay in one of his official residences in the kingdom.

Ratu Tevita Mara's wife has been interrogated.

RATU TEVITA MARA: Yes I fear for my family. This oppressive regime has done it in the past. It's targeted people who have spoken out, targeted their families.

SEAN DORNEY: It's a fear shared by Amnesty International.

PATRICK HOLMES, CEO, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEW ZEALAND: We've seen recently politicians, union leaders and so on taken to the Queen Elizabeth barracks, often being physically and sexually abused and intimidated.

So we'd be very concerned about anybody being taken in for questioning by the military.

SEAN DORNEY: Fiji says it wants Lieutenant Colonel Mara extradited.

Tonga says it's up to the courts but sedition might not be an extraditable offence under its extradition act.

CLIVE EDWARDS: But if it doesn't, it's not a matter that it's cut off at the starting point because it's not a case that can go to the court.

RATU TEVITA MARA: Why weren't we court marshalled? That's the proper procedure. But it seems that the AG wanted this taken to the civilian courts where he has a say.

SAM SPEIGHT: They were used. They were hoodwinked. They were lied to, the rank and file. And they are questioning where is this going to end.

And the cracks are there and they are getting wider.

JIM MIDDLETON: Pacific correspondent Sean Dorney.

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