Fed: Military may be trying to avoid coup in Fiji: Downer

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2006
Fed: Military may be trying to avoid coup in Fiji: Downer

Eds: closes off earlier story keyword Fiji Downer

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - Fiji's military appeared to be trying to slowly take control
of the country without mounting a coup, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.

Fiji troops today disarmed the island nation's only armed police unit, loading weapons
onto army vehicles at the offices of the police Tactical Response Unit (TRU) outside Suva.

There was no apparent opposition from the police.

The nation's military commander, Frank Bainimarama, has for weeks been threatening
to overthrow the government of Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

Earlier today Mr Downer described the situation as a stand-off between the government
and military, but during question time today, he said a coup appeared near.

"It is clear that Fiji is on the brink of a coup," he told parliament.

"This government and, I think it's fair to say this country, supports the continuation
of the democratically-elected government, we support the constitution and we support the
rule of law."

Earlier, however, Mr Downer said there appeared to be a split in the Fiji military's
ranks and it was trying to "slowly take control".

"They are now reaching a point, the military, where they are trying to persuade the
prime minister to stand down without actually mounting a coup," he told ABC radio.

"My guess is that within the military there is a fair bit of resistance to these tactics
and quite a lot of resistance to a coup.

"There isn't an inclination to mutiny against the commander, so it's a torturously
complicated situation."

Despite the tensions, Mr Downer said there were no problems for Australians in Fiji.

"We are hopeful the situation won't reach a point where they would be endangered,"

he told ABC radio.

Australia has vessels on standby to evacuate its citizens if it becomes necessary.

Mr Downer said Commodore Bainimarama had promised foreigners wouldn't be affected by a coup.

"What we can't be sure of is that there won't be some internal violence ... it is possible
and Australians could be effected collaterally but not directly targeted," he said.

AAP so/sb/sp

KEYWORD: FIJI DOWNER LEAD

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