Former military officer and current diplomat Filipo Tarakinikini says he was drawn into the 2000 coup crisis only after senior military leadership was absent despite what he described as a “clearly deteriorating situation.”
In a social media post, Mr Tarakinikini said his involvement in the events of 2000 came “by default” after the then Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces was overseas in Norway.
“My role in 2000 came about by default. The Commander RFMF found reason to be away in Norway despite a clearly deteriorating situation — a decision even His Excellency the late President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara questioned at the time,” he wrote.
Mr Tarakinikini said then Acting Commander Colonel Tuatoko asked him to help resolve the crisis.
“The Acting Commander, Colonel Tuatoko, asked me to step in and help resolve the crisis. I became the military spokesman and negotiator, and I did not stop until every hostage was released.”
The former military officer also addressed allegations made against him after he took up a United Nations appointment in New York.
Mr Tarakinikini said he left Fiji after being offered a post as Military Planning Officer at UN military headquarters, but claimed allegations against him intensified while he was overseas.
“While I was in New York, the allegations against me multiplied — clearly orchestrated to force my return,” he said.
He further claimed that the then military commander publicly stated that Interpol would arrest him, an allegation he described as absurd.
Mr Tarakinikini said he eventually resigned from the military and successfully challenged the matter in the High Court in Suva.
“I took him to the High Court in Suva — and I won, because Commander Bainimarama could not produce any evidence to support his allegations against me,” he wrote.
Mr Tarakinikini said he deliberately returned to Fiji in July 2022 while the FijiFirst government remained in power.
“I returned in July 2022, while the FijiFirst government was still in power — deliberately, to see what they would do.”
He said apart from what he described as harassment at the airport, no action was taken against him.
Reflecting on his experiences, Mr Tarakinikini said his story was not widely known and that he was prepared to answer questions publicly.
“I have nothing to hide, and I am happy to keep answering questions. That, too, is what integrity looks like,” he wrote.
