NZ PM says Fiji's Bainimarama may seek presidency
Updated
![New Zealand's prime minister, Helen Clark, says Commodore Frank Bainimarama could be looking for an exit strategy because he is guilty of treason. [AFP/Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/nz_fiji_clarke_bain_afp_rtr.jpg "New Zealand's prime minister, Helen Clark, says Commodore Frank Bainimarama could be looking for an exit strategy because he is guilty of treason. [AFP/Reuters]")
New Zealand's prime minister, Helen Clark, says Commodore Frank Bainimarama could be looking for an exit strategy because he is guilty of treason. [AFP/Reuters]
The New Zealand prime minister, Helen Clark, says Fiji coup leader and interim prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, may seek to become the country's president.
Our New Zealand correspondent, Kerri Ritchie, says rumours about such a move have been circulating in Fiji for some time.
Ms Clark says she had her doubts when Commodore Bainimarama made his promise last year to hold elections by March 2009.
"I must say I wasn't convinced by the assurances he gave the Forum leaders, so I wrote everything down," she said.
Ms Clark says Commodore Bainimarama could be looking for an exit strategy because he is guilty of treason.
She says it is possible he may try to seize the presidency.
"There's someone in that position at the moment, perhaps that is the next stage of the coup," she said.
Rumours have been circulating that Commodore Bainimarama could re-appoint Mahendra Chaudhry, currently the finance minister, as the country's prime minister.
