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| Fears grow of Fiji military coup | Fears grow of Fiji military coup |
| (4 days 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. |
| Mr Qarase said on Wednesday that neither he nor his government would stand down. | 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. | "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. | 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. | "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 | Mounting concern |
| Tensions in Fiji have been mounting since Tuesday, when a senior military officer defied a government order to replace Commodore Bainimarama. | 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. |
| Commodore Bainimarama, who is in the Middle East inspecting troops, has said he would continue to demand that the government resign. | Commodore Bainimarama, who is in the Middle East inspecting troops, has said he would continue to demand that the government resign. |
| "I'll be back to see that Qarase and his cronies step down," he was quoted as telling the Fiji Sun. | "I'll be back to see that Qarase and his cronies step down," he was 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. | |
| 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 legacy | Coup legacy |
| The military and the government have been at odds 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. |
Are you in Fiji? Are you concerned about the possibility of a military coup? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you in Fiji? Are you concerned about the possibility of a military coup? Send us your comments and experiences. |
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