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Fears of Fiji military coup grow Fears grow of Fiji military coup
(about 1 hour later)
The US and Australia have expressed concern about a possible coup in Fiji, as tensions between the military and the government escalate.The US and Australia have expressed concern about a possible coup in Fiji, as tensions between the military and the government escalate.
Two Australian ships are on stand-by, in case its citizens need to leave.Two Australian ships are on stand-by, in case its citizens need to leave.
Army chief Frank Bainimarama has been at odds with the government for months, and has repeatedly threatened to force PM Laisenia Qarase to resign.Army chief Frank Bainimarama has been at odds with the government for months, and has repeatedly threatened to force PM Laisenia Qarase to resign.
But the situation worsened on Tuesday, when a senior military officer defied a government order to replace him. Mr Qarase said on Wednesday that neither he nor his government would stand down.
"I declare emphatically that there is absolutely no question of me resigning in response to the situation or of my government standing down," he said during an address to the nation.
Mr Qarase also warned that any move against his government would have international repercussions.
"The international community is now more proactive in protecting democratically elected governments when the rule of law and its constitutionality are threatened or overturned," he said.
Mounting concern
Tensions in Fiji have been mounting since Tuesday, when a senior military officer defied a government order to replace Commodore Bainimarama.
In a show of support for their leader, troops have now seized a large quantity of ammunition at the port in the capital, Suva, and have taken up positions nearby.In a show of support for their leader, troops have now seized a large quantity of ammunition at the port in the capital, Suva, and have taken up positions nearby.
Thousands of reservists are also reported to have been mobilised.Thousands of reservists are also reported to have been mobilised.
Mounting concern Commodore Bainimarama, who is in the Middle East inspecting troops, has said he would continue to demand that the government resign.
The day after trying - and failing - to replace the army chief with another senior military officer, Prime Minister Qarase spent Wednesday morning holding an emergency cabinet meeting to assess his next move. "I'll be back to see that Qarase and his cronies step down," he was quoted as telling the Fiji Sun.
But Commodore Bainimarama shows no sign of agreeing to the government's obvious wish for him to step aside.
Speaking from the Middle East, where he is currently inspecting troops, he said he would continue to demand that the government resign.
"I'll be back to see that Qarase and his cronies step down," he is quoted as telling the Fiji Sun.
The situation has caused concern abroad, with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer saying there was a real danger that the military could try to seize power.The situation has caused concern abroad, with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer saying there was a real danger that the military could try to seize power.
Cdr Frank Bainimarama is at loggerheads with the government"We obviously hope very much that a coup doesn't go ahead, but there is nevertheless a real risk that this may happen," he told Australian media.Cdr Frank Bainimarama is at loggerheads with the government"We obviously hope very much that a coup doesn't go ahead, but there is nevertheless a real risk that this may happen," he told Australian media.
Navy ships are on stand-by to help Australians leave Fiji if the situation worsens.Navy ships are on stand-by to help Australians leave Fiji if the situation worsens.
New Zealand and the United States have also warned Fiji's military commanders to stay out of politics.New Zealand and the United States have also warned Fiji's military commanders to stay out of politics.
"We urge Fiji's military leadership to refrain from any actions that could be seen as a provocation or threat to the democratically-elected government," said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack."We urge Fiji's military leadership to refrain from any actions that could be seen as a provocation or threat to the democratically-elected government," said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
Coup legacyCoup legacy
The military and the government have been at each other's throats for many months. The military and the government have been at odds for many months.
At the heart of the feud are plans by the nationalist government to offer amnesties to those involved in a racially motivated coup six years ago.At the heart of the feud are plans by the nationalist government to offer amnesties to those involved in a racially motivated coup six years ago.
The proposal is bitterly opposed by Commodore Bainimarama, who was the main target of the mutiny, and was forced to flee for his life.The proposal is bitterly opposed by Commodore Bainimarama, who was the main target of the mutiny, and was forced to flee for his life.
He also played a key role in putting down the uprising, and has made clear that he does not feel the government has done enough to bring its perpetrators to justice.He also played a key role in putting down the uprising, and has made clear that he does not feel the government has done enough to bring its perpetrators to justice.