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Fiji military chief stages coup Fiji military chief stages coup
(about 2 hours later)
The military commander of Fiji has announced he has taken over control of the country. Fiji's military commander has seized control of the country, marking the fourth coup in two decades.
Cmdr Frank Bainimarama said in a televised address he had assumed executive powers and dismissed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.Cmdr Frank Bainimarama said in a televised address he had assumed executive powers and dismissed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
Cmdr Bainimarama accused the prime minister of corruption and leading Fiji on a path of doom.Cmdr Bainimarama accused the prime minister of corruption and leading Fiji on a path of doom.
Mr Qarase said earlier he had been put under house arrest as troops blockaded his home in the capital, Suva. Mr Qarase, who was put under house arrest, rejected the statement. But he said he would now retire from politics.
I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails Cmdr Bainimarama Profile of army chief Speaking from his home in the capital, Suva, Mr Qarase told the BBC he was not going voluntarily. He accused Cmdr Bainimarama of feeding the country lies about his government.
"I am at home but there are soldiers at the gate negotiating their way to come in," he told the World Today programme shortly before the coup announcement.
Cmdr Bainimarama had repeatedly threatened to unseat Mr Qarase, expressing anger at the prime minister's proposed legislation to offer an amnesty to those responsible for a 2000 coup which Cmdr Bainimarama helped put down.Cmdr Bainimarama had repeatedly threatened to unseat Mr Qarase, expressing anger at the prime minister's proposed legislation to offer an amnesty to those responsible for a 2000 coup which Cmdr Bainimarama helped put down.
I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails Cmdr Bainimarama href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/769527.stm" class="">Profile of army chief Cmdr Bainimarama warned that more troops would be seen on the streets of Fiji but said there was no curfew and he urged the population not to be intimidated. FIJI TENSIONS TIMELINE 2000: Brief coup put down by army chief BainimaramaJuly 2005: Bainimarama warns he will topple government if it pardons jailed coup plottersMay 2006: PM Laisenia Qarase wins re-election31 Oct: Qarase tries - and fails - to replace BainimaramaNovember: Qarase says he will change law offering clemency to coup plotters - Bainimarama warns of coup5 Dec: Military declares coup href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1300499.stm" class="">Timeline: Fiji Cmdr Bainimarama warned that more troops would be seen on the streets but said there was no curfew and he urged the population not to be intimidated.
He said Fiji had reached a "crossroads" and that the government had been "unable to make decisions to save our people from destruction".He said Fiji had reached a "crossroads" and that the government had been "unable to make decisions to save our people from destruction".
"I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails," he said."I urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails," he said.
Cmdr Bainimarama named a doctor, Jona Senilagakali, as caretaker prime minister. Cmdr Bainimarama named a doctor, Jona Senilagakali, as caretaker prime minister and said he would next week ask the Great Council of Chiefs to restore executive powers to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.
Cmdr Bainimarama said he would next week ask the country's Great Council of Chiefs to restore executive powers to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo. The president would then appoint an interim government and elections would follow at an unspecified date, the military chief said.
FIJI TENSIONS TIMELINE 2000: Brief coup put down by army chief BainimaramaJuly 2005: Bainimarama warns he will topple government if it pardons jailed coup plottersMay 2006: PM Laisenia Qarase wins re-election31 Oct: Qarase tries - and fails - to replace BainimaramaNovember: Qarase says he will change law offering clemency to coup plotters - Bainimarama warns of coup5 Dec: Military declares coup The president would then appoint an interim government and elections would follow at an unspecified date, the military chief said. Cmdr Bainimarama accused Mr Qarase of failing to address the military's concerns in "true spirit" and said the prime minister had created tension in the army by trying to have him removed.
In his speech Cmdr Bainimarama accused Mr Qarase of failing to address the military's concerns in "true spirit" and said the prime minister had created tension in the army by trying to have him removed. The head of the largely unarmed police force, acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver, condemned the takeover.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Qarase told the BBC's World Today programme he expected to be taken into custody. "The military has now indulged in a very serious criminal act and... we are not going to support the military," he said.
He refused to step down voluntarily. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark also condemned Mr Bainimarama, saying he had "taken leave of his senses and the power has certainly gone to his head".
"I am at home but there are soldiers at the gate negotiating their way to come in," Mr Qarase said from his complex in Suva.
"If they want to carry out an illegal act, that is their choice," he said, "but I will not resign."
Cmdr Bainimarama said in his address the military was not arresting ministers.
Troop requestTroop request
The BBC's Phil Mercer in Suva says the military's action is certain to provoke widespread international condemnation. Fiji has a population of only 900,000 but is a major tourist destination and attracts up to 400,000 visitors a year.
Soldiers surrounded the home of Prime Minister Laisenia QaraseAustralia, Britain and New Zealand had advised their citizens to stay away and warned of dire social, economic and diplomatic consequences if the military completed its coup. It has also witnessed considerable political tension between ethnic Fijians, who make up about 50% of the population and ethnic Indians at around 44%.
Fiji has seen three coups in the past 20 years. Soldiers surrounded the home of Prime Minister Laisenia QaraseThe military takeover will add to the concerns of Australia and New Zealand about political instability in the wider Pacific islands region.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard earlier condemned the situation in Fiji but said he had turned down a request from Mr Qarase to send troops to prevent a coup. Australia, Britain and New Zealand had advised their citizens to stay away and warned of dire social, economic and diplomatic consequences if the military completed its coup.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard earlier said he had turned down a request from Mr Qarase to send troops to prevent a coup.
"The possibility of Australia and Fijian troops firing on each other in the streets of Suva was not a prospect that I for a moment thought desirable," Mr Howard said."The possibility of Australia and Fijian troops firing on each other in the streets of Suva was not a prospect that I for a moment thought desirable," Mr Howard said.
Are you in Fiji? Are you concerned about the current situation? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you in Fiji? Are you concerned about the current situation? Send us your comments and experiences.
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