President Seized In Clash Over Pay

Paramilitary police officers demanding prompt payment of their salaries seized President Jean Marie Leye this morning and demanded a Cabinet meeting to settle their grievances.

The Cabinet was in session on the issue later. Port Vila and the rest of the country remained calm.

A spokesman for the officers, Capt. Noel Tamaka Mala, said in a broadcast over Radio Vanuatu that the paramilitaries were “in command” but that it was not a military takeover.

The 200 or so officers are outraged over late payment of overtime pay and bonuses, amounting to about $1 million.