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Military tightens grip on Fiji amid coup fears
2006-12-04
Fijian troops have tightened their grip on the Pacific island nation's capital, disarming police and government bodyguards and setting up roadblocks as the country faced its fourth coup in two decades. Heavily-armed soldiers entered two police stations to seize weapons and later disarmed the bodyguards of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his ministers on Monday. The move came after the military threatened to topple the government in a "peaceful transition" unless it agreed to step down. But rebellious military commander Voreqe Bainimarama declined to say if the actions were the start of a long-feared putsch to unseat a government he has branded corrupt. "I understand the weapons belonging to the bodyguards of the ministers and prime minister have been returned," Bainimarama told a press conference. He made no mention of whether he had taken control of government. He warned his forces would not tolerate any unrest. "The security forces will be out there and will ensure the security of all the people of this nation," he said in a brief statement, which many had hoped would clarify whether a coup had begun. Qarase was at his home late Monday as regional leaders warned of dire consequences if troops took over. Earlier in the day, five army trucks had carried soldiers to the police tactical response (PTR) unit -- the only other armed security force in Fiji -- and loaded arms onto two trucks, sparking fears the putsch had begun. Later about 20 armed troops also seized privately-owned and ceremonial arms at the police barracks in Suva as police chiefs ordered their officers not to confront the army. "The removal of police arms from the armoury at the PTR by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces without our approval early this afternoon was unlawful and unnecessary," acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver said. Bainimarama said the arms were taken to prevent their being used against the military by "dissidents". Armed troops meanwhile set up a roadblock on a road Qarase had been expected to use to return to the capital following a meeting in a nearby province, forcing the premier to return home by helicopter. Qarase blasted the military for the illegal seizure of police weapons and insisted his embattled government remained in control. But witnesses saw his car turned away from President Ratu Josefa Iloilo's residence by military guards during the evening. Staff at the Daily Post, one of Fiji's three English-language dailies, packed up their belongings and equipment after the newspaper reportedly received threats. The Fijilive news service quoted sources saying the newspaper's general manager Mesake Koroi, who is related to Qarase, reportedly received a call from the military telling the staff to go. The newspaper is not expected to publish for at least a few days. Bainimarama had given a deadline of last Friday for the government to agree to a series of demands or face being toppled, but the deadline passed without incident. A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at which Bainimarama's demands will be discussed. On Sunday, Bainimarama demanded Qarase quit or the military would "look for ways to obtain his resignation". New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark warned Bainimarama there would be sanctions if he staged a coup, including a ban on travel to New Zealand to see family. "There's quite a lot of ways we would be responding, but the emphasis now is to encourage people to work through this peacefully, mindful of the dire consequences of a coup," she said. Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said a coup appeared imminent but also that the military appeared to be trying to "slowly take control" amid splits in their ranks. "It is clear that Fiji is on the brink of a coup and this government, and I think it's fair to say this country, supports the continuation of the democratically elected government, we support the constitution and we support the rule of law," Downer told parliament. Bainimarama said Sunday Fijians should not fear what would happen in the following couple of days. Qarase remained defiant Monday against the rebellious commander's calls for him to stand down, describing Bainimarama's actions as treason, but adding he was still open to talks to try to prevent a coup.
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