The Hindu : Front Page : Fiji's military chief stages coup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 06, 2006
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Fiji's military chief stages coup

P.S. Suryanarayana

Commodore Bainimarama dismisses Prime Minister, pledges to mend divide

Sanctions imposed by neighbouring countries

Return to democracy promised after "stability"

— Photo: AFP

OVERTHROWN: Deposed Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase (left) with his supporters in the capital, Suva, on Tuesday.

SINGAPORE: Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, on Tuesday staged a bloodless coup, dismissed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and promised to address the country's "racial divide." He "promulgated" the coup in a televised address.

Neighbouring countries, including Australia, immediately imposed sanctions. Agencies said the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for immediate reinstatement of the ``legitimate authority'' while the Commonwealth threatened Fiji with expulsion. Britain suspended military aid.

Cmdr. Bainimarama wanted to liaise with the country's influential Great Council of Chiefs and pledged to restore democracy. But, the caveat was that polls would be held only "when the country is stable, and the electoral rolls reviewed."

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