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Fiji Military Commander Threatens to Replace Government by Friday
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&c=713621&l=1009&ctl=1517FE2:A6F02AD83191E1604BCB7877D832CF529574F7DCC14957C0 Hundreds of Fijian
troops conducted  night-time exercise in Suva to prepare for any
possible 'foreign intervention' Fiji's military commander has
threatened replace the government by Friday afternoon unless it moves
immediately to meet his demands.







Commander Frank Bainimarama gestures during press conference, 30 Nov.
2006Commander Frank Bainimarama said Thursday that if the demands are
not met by 12:00 p.m. local time Friday, there will be a "peaceful
transition," because he said he "does not expect any confrontation."

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase agreed to withdraw
several contentious bills if a legal examination finds they are
unconstitutional.

The prime minister also hinted that the government would welcome a
decision by state prosecutors to end an investigation into possible
sedition charges against the military commander.

Hundreds of Fijian troops have conducted a night-time exercise in the
capital, Suva, to prepare troops for any possible" foreign
intervention" in the country's political crisis.

Crisis talks between Bainimarama and Prime Minister Qarase, ended
Wednesday without an agreement on averting a coup.

In New York, the U.N. Security Council urged the military to exercise
restraint and refrain from any action that would undermine the rule of
law.

Australia believes Bainimarama is likely to stage a military coup
within two weeks.

Bainimarama has told reservists to get ready for what he calls a
"clean-up" campaign against the government.

 

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.


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