Armed troops keep Fiji PM out of palace

[SoCalDem]

What a crazy world we live in.. FIJI is having a coup?? That will be good for tourism..not :eyes:
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Armed troops keep Fiji PM out of palace
http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Armed-troops-keep-Fiji-PM-out-of-palace/2006/12/04/1165080843723.html

December 4, 2006 - 6:24AM


Armed soldiers have prevented Fiji's embattled prime minister Laisenia Qarase from entering the presidential palace. Qarase tried to enter the official residence of President Ratu Josefa Iloilo on Monday afternoon, but his official car and the vehicle carrying his security detachment was turned away by soldiers at the gate.

He returned to his home in Suva, where he was met for crisis talks by Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola. Police are stationed in the grounds of the prime minister's home, but there is no sign of armed soldiers nearby. Qarase was forced earlier on Monday to return to the capital, Suva, by helicopter in order to avoid a military check point.

He and his wife flew home from talks in Naitasiri - a stronghold of Qarase's SDL party - after learning of the road block. On Sunday, Vosanibola questioned why the president continued to hold meetings with renegade military commander Frank Bainimarama as his coup threats against the government escalated. Military check points have been established throughout Suva, including on an access road that leads to the homes of Bainimarama, Vice-President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, and the secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum.

snip

Vosanibola left the prime minister's home a short time later. Earlier on Monday, troops disarmed the island nation's only armed police unit, which maverick military commander Frank Bainimarama said was to ensure the weapons were not used against the military.
snip..

[Dems2002]

1. Not their first one either -- Same thing happened in 2000

There was a coup in Fiji in 2000. I happened to be there in late August 2001, which was the week of their first elections since the coup and thought the same thing at the time.

There's a huge issue there between the natives and the Indians (people from india) who control most of the sugar crops and have the money.

When I was there, I spent a day in Suva (not the standard tourist spot, but I used Fiji as a Visa run, so needed to get my passport stamped.) and the hotel I was staying at had a bomb threat.


Dems

[SoCalDem]

2. Nuts.. just plain nuts..

I just don't understand why people cannot just live and let live and quit trying to take each other's "stuff"..

I guess that's the Mom in me :)

[Eugene]

3. BBC: Fiji PM says coup is 'imminent'

Earlier: Fiji Army surrounds prime minister's house, seeking to arrest him - BBC Ticker

Last Updated: Monday, 4 December 2006, 23:59 GMT

Fiji PM says coup is 'imminent'

Fiji's prime minister has told the BBC that he expects to be taken
into custody by the army, amid speculation the country is on the brink
of a coup.

Army troops are reported to have surrounded Laisenia Qarase's complex
in the capital, Suva.

Mr Qarase says he is refusing to stand down and assumes he and his family
will shortly be taken into custody.

Military commander Frank Bainimarama, unhappy with Mr Qarase, has
repeatedly threatened to unseat his government.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6208526.stm

[anotherdrew]

4. has the US officially said word one about this? we'd best refuse to talk to the coup people n/t