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Fiji military chief stages coup Fiji military chief stages coup
(20 minutes later)
Fiji's military commander has seized control of the country, marking the fourth coup in two decades.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, who was put under house arrest, rejected the statement. But he said he would now retire from politics. Mr Qarase, who said he would now retire from politics, accused the military of bringing "shame to the country".
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 urge all citizens to remain calm, and maintain the peace that currently prevails Cmdr Bainimarama Profile of army chief He said Cmdr Bainimarama was 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. "What the military has done is raped our constitution," Mr Qarase said on Fijian TV.
"They have brought shame to the country... and all right-thinking people should stand up and fight for our democracy - by peaceful means of course," he said.
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.
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 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.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 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 and said he would next week ask the Great Council of Chiefs to restore executive powers to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.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.
The president would then appoint an interim government and elections would follow at an unspecified date, the military chief said.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. Cmdr Bainimarama 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.The head of the largely unarmed police force, acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver, condemned the takeover.
"The military has now indulged in a very serious criminal act and... we are not going to support the military," he said."The military has now indulged in a very serious criminal act and... we are not going to support the military," he said.
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".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".
Troop requestTroop request
Fiji has a population of only 900,000 but is a major tourist destination and attracts up to 400,000 visitors a year.Fiji has a population of only 900,000 but is a major tourist destination and attracts up to 400,000 visitors a year.
It has also witnessed considerable political tension between ethnic Fijians, who make up about 50% of the population and ethnic Indians at around 44%. It has also witnessed considerable political tension over the past 20 years between ethnic Fijians, who make up about 50% of the population and ethnic Indians at around 44%.
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.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.
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.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.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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