Fijian nationalists threaten repeat of May 19 coup

12:00 PM

A Fijian nationalist movement has threatened a repeat of the May 19 coup if the Fiji Court of Appeal upholds an earlier High Court ruling which declared the interim Government illegal.

According to reports posted on the website Fijilive, a group calling themselves the New Fijian Nationalist Party wrote to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo explaining action they would take if the Appeal Court ruled against the interim Government at the hearing on February 19.

The letter was reported to contain a warning that there would be another coup if the People's Coalition - the party of deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry - is returned to power.

Rebels toppled Chaudhry's Government on May 19 last year, holding him and most of his cabinet hostage for 56 days in the name of indigenous Fijian rights.

The military then appointed an indigenous Fijian government led by Laisenia Qarase.

This interim government was ruled illegal on November 15 in Fiji's High Court.

Justice Anthony Gates said the 1997 constitution remained the supreme law of the nation, and that there was no constitutional foundation for the new government.

On December 21 the interim Government announced they would appeal the decision after an application for a stay order on the November ruling was rejected by the High Court.

The website quoted military spokesman Lieutenant Ilaisa Tagitupou as saying they were aware of the letter and would be investigating the matter.

Lt Tagitupou said at this stage the military had not questioned anyone as the New Fijian Nationalist Party was, at present, just "communicating" with the President.

But he said they would be closely following any moves causing further destabilisation in the country.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF