Suva: Moves are underway for the formation of the National Intelligence Agency in Fiji.
The functions of this agency will be similar to the disbanded Fiji Intelligence Services.
Minister for Defence Ratu Epeli Ganilau said yesterday they were sorting out details for the establishment of a national spy agency.
He said such an agency was vital for the protection of the country’s borders.
“We are still sorting out all the details involved in the establishment of that unit,” Ratu Epeli said
“We have nothing yet to confirm but the fact that we are still talking through the details,” he said. Ratu Epeli had confirmed talk about the revival of the disbanded service and the National Security Council in February 2008.
At the time, Ratu Epeli had said that followed the need to protect Fiji against the increasing global threat of terrorism.
He said the units would concentrate on national security issues involving terrorism and clandestine operations.
The two units were first established by the Sitiveni Rabuka-led government in 1988 but were disbanded in 1999 by Labour Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.
Then, members of the military and police had worked together to incorporate military and criminal intelligence.