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Fiji PM to hold crisis talks with army chief
Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase left yesterday for crisis talks in New Zealand with his defiant military chief to avert a fourth coup in 20 years in the South Pacific nation.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 November 29, 2006
Suva: Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase left yesterday for crisis talks in New Zealand with his defiant military chief to avert a fourth coup in 20 years in the South Pacific nation.
"The discussions are to find a solution for the betterment of the country and to put an end to the impasse," Qarase said.
Today's New Zealand-brokered talks were announced only hours before Commander Frank Bainimarama was to return to Fiji from a private visit in New Zealand amid fears that a coup would be launched within days.
Armed soldiers are patrolling the streets of the capital, Suva, while others guard the president's residence. Hundreds of army reservists have been recalled for unscheduled exercises across the island nation.
Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to remove Qarase's elected government unless it drops several pieces of contentious legislation, including a Bill that would grant amnesty to those involved in a coup in 2,000.
While Qarase said he was confident the talks would find a solution to the crisis, Bainimarama was less conciliatory.
"I can tell you now it's going to be the shortest meeting ever between him and myself," Bainimarama told Fiji radio.
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