Fiji: Coup Threat Rattles Islands

No Comments | November 28th, 2006 | Trackback

A political crisis pitting the prime minister against the military commander has pushed the nation to the brink of a military coup. Australia’s foreign minister warned that a takeover was likely to occur within two weeks, and both Australia and New Zealand have warned their citizens about travel here because of possible conflict. New Zealand has also pulled out some of its diplomatic staff and their dependents. In a move that could diffuse the tension, Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and armed forces chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama were to meet for emergency talks mediated by New Zealand’s foreign minister in Wellington Nov. 29. Bainimarama has vowed to “clean up” the government if it doesn’t meet his demands to drop investigations of military officers and withdraw three proposed laws, while his threats against the government have placed him in danger of being charged with sedition. Tensions are high, especially in Suva, where armed soldiers have been on patrol.