Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Military Stages Coup in Fiji
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&c=724858&l=1009&ctl=152C1B3:A6F02AD83191E160D394F542C2AF81879574F7DCC14957C0 Commodore Frank
Bainimarama declares on national television he is now in charge





Soldiers man a roadblock before Fiji's military head it had toppled
the government and dismissed elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase,
in Suva, 05 Dec 2006Fiji's military has taken control of the country
from the democratically elected government. This is fourth coup in
nearly 20 years in the South Pacific island nation. VOA's Heda Bayron
has more from our Asia News Center in Hong Kong.

Fiji military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama declared on national
television Tuesday he is now in charge.

"As of six o'clock this evening, the military has taken over the
government, has executive authority and the running of the country,"
he said.

Bainimarama says he has assumed the powers of president - with the
authority to dismiss Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and hold him under
house arrest.

For weeks, Bainimarama has threatened a coup against Mr. Qarase - for
alleged corruption and plans to grant amnesty to coup leaders who
overthrew Fiji's first-ever ethnic Indian prime minister six years
ago.

Neighboring New Zealand cut defense ties with the Fijian military
Tuesday. Australia also condemned the military action but refused Mr.
Qarase's request to send troops to prevent the coup.


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