Fiji security meeting amid fears of coup

Fears that another coup is about to erupt in Fiji mounted yesterday, amid tension between the Government and the republic's military chief.

Rumours spread around the capital, Suva, that Commodore Frank Bainimarama had either been arrested by the police or was facing a revolt among his own officers, but officials were playing down the situation.

Samisoni Pareti, a writer for Pacific Islands Business, said last night that the Army barracks had been shut down and the police were setting up roadblocks around the capital.

Pareti said they were to "keep things in order", although officials in the Prime Minister's office and the Army were playing down speculation of unrest.

Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase yesterday convened the National Security Council, which includes himself, the Attorney-General, the Finance Minister and the Home Minister.

Afterwards they released a statement saying the Prime Minister was still in control.

Pareti said it was understood the deputy commander of the military forces, Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka, went to Commodore Bainimarama to plead with him to ease off his verbal attacks on Mr Qarase.

"Everybody's saying he went to his commander and told him to turn down the heat ... and not publicly challenge the Government."

Pareti said he was not convinced Commodore Bainimarama would appreciate being told what to do by his deputy.

"I don't know whether he will listen to his deputy telling him to 'shut up' ... It's really questionable."

Pareti said Commodore Bainimarama had already been asked to back down by Mr Qarase, the Defence Minister and Fiji's Acting President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, who is also his village chief. "He's not listening."

Pareti said local media believed something serious was happening.

Commodore Bainimarama met senior officers early yesterday. Some of them are reportedly unhappy about his criticisms of the Government, which he has labelled divisive and anti-democratic.

The meetings were held at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, which were closed for at least part of the day and security was heightened.

Despite the reported tension, when Herald calls to the commander's cellphone were finally answered yesterday evening, the newspaper was told he was out playing touch rugby with some children and unavailable to comment.

The rumours surrounding the commander's arrest or attempted overthrow were denied by the Army and newspaper sources in Fiji.

Fiji's Foreign Affairs Minister, Kaliopate Tavola, who is at present in New Zealand, said he had no idea what was going on but had no plans to cut short his holiday.

Fiji Hotel Association president Dixon Seeto said that as far as he could tell everything seemed "pretty normal" despite the rumours.

Mr Seeto was at a function with the Prime Minister to celebrate the new year when the Herald rang. The mood was positive, he said.

"I am confident things will be worked out. Apparently the commander has given an assurance there will be no unrest."

New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, confirmed yesterday that reports were emerging about disagreements within Fiji's military forces.

"The New Zealand Government reiterates its position that all parties should remain calm and resolve their differences through dialogue."

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday stepped up a travel warning to Fiji, because of the tensions.

But New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that at this stage there was no reason to believe New Zealanders living in or visiting Fiji were at risk.

Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, former coup leader, military commander and Prime Minister, said this week that a coup was possible, but he hoped Fiji would not go down that path again.

Tensions between native Fijians and ethnic Indians have resulted in three coups since the former British colony declared its independence in 1970.

General Rabuka, then a colonel, carried out the first two, in 1987.