Fiji military boss threatens Government again

Commodore Frank Bainimarama

Fiji's belligerent military chief has again threatened to remove the government, accusing it of imposing racist policies in the ethnically divided country.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama issued a statement last night saying the military is prepared to take power in what would be the Pacific nation's fourth coup in 19 years.

He also warned the government it would be naive to underestimate him.

Bainimarama's outburst came in response to a comment by a Fiji official describing as petty the military boss' latest feud with the administration of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

The commander said after the 2000 coup the government continued to adopt racist policies and programs to appeal to indigenous Fijians.

"Policies created to influence the community at large to support the cause of the opportunists - policies that are hurting the general populace and are so divisive that they have ended up taking away our rights and freedom," Bainimarama said.

"If they lack the moral strength and the courage to continue the good fight the military is willing to return and complete for this nation the responsibilities we gave this government in 2000 and 2001," he said.

The military assumed emergency powers in 2000 when rebels overthrew a government dominated by ethnic Indians and appointed Qarase to head an interim administration.

Qarase's mostly indigenous government won elections held the following year.

"The military gave investor confidence back to the country and tourism will continue. However, the rot must stop," Bainimarama said.

Tensions between indigenous Fijians and ethnic Indians have led to three coups since the former British colony declared its independence in 1970 - two of them carried out in 1987 by the military.

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Pita Nacuva told a Fiji newspaper that Bainimarama's most recent feud with the government was petty and a case of sour grapes on the military's part.

"It is obvious from Nacuva's comments that the government makes light of the sour relationship between the government and the army in past years," Bainimarama said.

"The government would be very naive to underestimate the intention of the military in this instance."

The commodore's warning follows a threat last year to get rid of the government after Qarase pushed ahead with a reconciliation bill which could give amnesties to coup convicts and suspects.

The Fiji parliament is expected to vote on the controversial legislation early this year.

Bainimarama, an indigenous Fijian, has been involved in an escalating war of words with Home Affairs Ministry since Christmas and last week called on the administration to resign.

The row began over his attempt to move office to a government building.

-AAP