Fiji's PM is 'under house arrest'
By Malenie Judy,WNS Pacific Bureau Chief
SUVA - Fiji's prime minister has said he is under house arrest as army soldiers blockade his residence in the South Pacific island's capital, Suva. The country's president denied comments by New Zealand's prime minister that he had agreed to dissolve parliament. The reports appeared to suggest that the president was backing the military's attempt to stage a coup. Military chief Cmdr Frank Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to unseat Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Cmdr Bainimarama is expected to give a press conference in the coming hours.
Earlier, New Zealand's Prime Minister, Helen Clark, blasted reports of the president's decision to dissolve parliament as a result of what she said was the military's "bullying, intimidation and threats". She warned of "fearful consequences for the people of Fiji unless the military and president pull back from the brink". The embattled elected leader refuses to step down voluntarily. "I am at home but there are soldiers at the gate negotiating their way to come in," Mr Qarase said from his complex in the centre of the capital, Suva. "If they want to carry out an illegal act, that is their choice," he said, "but I will not resign." He said Fiji's powerful Pacific neighbours Australia and New Zealand had "flatly said no" to sending military support after the Fijian police were disarmed on Monday. Both neighbours have said that they feared that sending in troops would only inflame a delicate situation. Checkpoints have already been set up across the capital in what Mr Qarase described as a "strangling of the government of the day". Cmdr Bainimarama is angry at the way Mr Qarase has handled the aftermath of a coup in 2000, offering an amnesty to those responsible.
Earlier, New Zealand's Prime Minister, Helen Clark, blasted reports of the president's decision to dissolve parliament as a result of what she said was the military's "bullying, intimidation and threats". She warned of "fearful consequences for the people of Fiji unless the military and president pull back from the brink". The embattled elected leader refuses to step down voluntarily. "I am at home but there are soldiers at the gate negotiating their way to come in," Mr Qarase said from his complex in the centre of the capital, Suva. "If they want to carry out an illegal act, that is their choice," he said, "but I will not resign." He said Fiji's powerful Pacific neighbours Australia and New Zealand had "flatly said no" to sending military support after the Fijian police were disarmed on Monday. Both neighbours have said that they feared that sending in troops would only inflame a delicate situation. Checkpoints have already been set up across the capital in what Mr Qarase described as a "strangling of the government of the day". Cmdr Bainimarama is angry at the way Mr Qarase has handled the aftermath of a coup in 2000, offering an amnesty to those responsible.
Mr Qarase says that at least 800 of those involved have already been convicted. Australia, Britain and New Zealand have advised their citizens to stay away from the tourism-dependent former British colony. They have also warned of dire social, economic and diplomatic consequences if the military completes its coup. Fiji has seen three coups in the last 20 years.
posted by wnsworld @ 5:32 PM
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