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Qarase dismisses coup rumours

WELLINGTON: Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase on Thursday said that there will be no coup in the country despite the army commander's coup threat, according to Radio New Zealand.

``Indications are good that security is normal and there is no intention of staging a coup,'' Mr. Qarase told the radio.

Military chief Voreqe Bainimarama, who is inspecting Fijian peacekeeping troops in West Asia, had earlier told the radio station that the military was not planning a coup but warned of possible violence if Mr. Qarase did not step down for reasons of corruption.

``The last thing we want to do is have violence, the last thing we want to do is have bloodshed, but Qarase is pointing us in that direction,'' Commodore Bainimarama said.

Mr. Qarase said on Wednesday that his Government would not be forced out by the military commander. On Tuesday, he tried to oust Commodore Bainimarama, but senior military officers refused to let their commander be replaced. — Xinhua

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