Coup gunmen seize Fiji Govt

A businessman and a handful of armed men were holding Fiji's political leaders hostage early this morning after a surprise attack on Parliament Buildings in Suva.

Thousands of Fijians danced and cheered outside Parliament as coup leader George Speight and his squad of nationalist gunmen continued to hold the country's first Fiji Indian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, and his cabinet prisoners.

However, early this morning it was unclear how much support the rebels had, with some suggestions that the Army and the police were backing the Government.

A Fiji Website reported that two battalions were deployed around major town centres to aid police. Army reservists were asked to report for duty and to bring clothes and personal belongings "to last them at least 21 days."

The President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, labelled the coup "unlawful" and "unconstitutional" and declared a state of emergency with a dawn-to-dusk curfew.

But Radio Fiji reported that the curfew seemed to be having little effect, with youths burning kiosks around Suva's central bus station. Later reports indicated that 100 looters had been arrested.

Ratu Mara - whose daughter, Tourism and Transport Minister Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau, was reported to be among the hostages - pleaded with gunmen to disband, return to their homes and pursue their concerns in a lawful way.

"As the situation develops, I shall be speaking to you again to assure you of the fact that your constitutionally elected Government will be reviewed and that we will do our utmost best to lawfully address the issues that have caused today's activities."

In New Zealand, military leaders put the elite SAS team and other armed forces personnel on standby. An Air Force Hercules was prepared for urgent departure if needed.

Mr Speight, the son of former Fijian MP Sam Speight, launched the coup at 10 am when he and at least seven men stormed Parliament carrying AK-47s, rifles and pistols. Shots were fired, but no one is believed to have been injured.

The gunmen, described by witnesses as "boys in three-quarter shorts," met little resistance and within minutes had locked Mr Chaudhry and the ministers in an upper chamber.

Mr Chaudhry was heard to tell his MPs to "hold your seats" while the Speaker of Parliament, Apenisa Kurisaqila, told the men what they were doing was "illegal."

There was no sign of Fijian military personnel during the coup. Mr Speight told journalists that the military was taking a "passive" role.

But the Australian Government said last night that officials in Suva had told it that the police and the armed forces supported the Prime Minister.

Mr Speight yesterday met Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, who led the 1987 coups and, as Prime Minister, lost the last general election to Mr Chaudhry.

General Rabuka said Mr Speight had called him on his cellphone to ask for the meeting. Afterwards, General Rabuka set out for a meeting with Ratu Mara.

Mr Speight had released the Speaker but ignored calls to free the other hostages.

Within hours of the coup he had announced a new Government, with Ratu Timoci Silatolu, former president of the Telecom Employees Association, as the new Prime Minister.

Ratu Timoci is reported to have spent the past year trying to oust Mr Chaudhry after failing to secure a place in his ministry.

On Thursday night, a historic Indian building in the port city of Lautoka was firebombed.

By 10.30 yesterday morning, people in Fiji discovered their phone lines had been cut. At noon, a radio announcement warned schools not to let children out unsupervised. Indian-owned shops and taxis were smashed by protesters on a march to Parliament.

Soon after midday, 90 police officers surrounded Parliament and Red Cross stations were set up.

Department stores were looted and shops were burned, leaving clouds of smoke hanging over Suva. Most of the shops in central Suva were ransacked.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said it was vital the constitution of Fiji was restored and the elected Government allowed to take office again as soon as possible.