Sabre-rattling continues in Fiji

Fiji, an island country in the South Pacific faces a possible army coup. Fiji 's military commander Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama goes on warning that the county's prime minister Laisenia Qarase's refusal to resign may lead to bloodshed and violence in the troubled South Pacific nation.

laisenia qarase 2

The prime minister has persistently refused to be forced out by the hostile military commander, and instead offering to meet with Bainimarama for talks aimed at averting a confrontation. He also claimed the open support of the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

The United States threatened to suspend aid to Fiji if military leaders move against Qarase. Regional leaders have also expressed deep concern over the prospects of a coup, and rallied round the elected government. "Bainimarama should accept that his role is not to go in and replace governments," said New Zealand Prime Minister Miss Helen Clark. Qarase is "the proper, constitutional, democratically elected prime minister and there can be no justification at all for a military coup," added Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

The nation, a former British colony is rocked by its fourth coup in 20 years. Interestingly, Bainimarama had brought Qarase to power in the last coup in 2000 by ousting the first ethnic-Indian prime minister.

Apprehensive of a coup, local Fijians are already stockpiling food in anticipation of violence.

More