Fijian government ousted in military coup

Qarase was placed under house arrest yesterday, then escorted to his home island of Mavana early this morning. He insisted that he remained the legitimate prime minister and accused the military of “raping” the constitution. “I believe there will be a peaceful reaction by thousands and thousands in the next few days and I believe that may change things,” he told ABC Radio.

Dozens of government supporters, backed by Fiji’s church leaders, protested outside Qarase’s Suva residence yesterday. Bainimarama has warned against any unrest and appealed for calm. According to the latest reports, a state of emergency has been declared today, and senior police and civil servants have been detained.

Soldiers have been dispatched to various media outlets to prevent any reporting of Qarase’s statements and to suppress criticism of the coup. Protesting this censorship, the Fiji Times did not publish its print edition today and Fiji TV yesterday cancelled its 10 p.m. news bulletin.

The military takeover follows days of uncertainty, in which several deadlines set for the government came and went. The protracted standoff indicates that Bainimarama is not operating from a position of political strength. The divisions in the Fijian elite undoubtedly run through the military, which has been under intense international pressure not to carry out a coup.

More
http://wsws.org/articles/2006/dec2006/fiji-d06.shtml