SUVA, Fiji (29 May 2000) -- One day after a policeman was killed and a mob destroyed a TV station, Fiji's military seized power. Foreign citizens were warned by their governments to leave Fiji as the situation deteriorates into chaos and violence. Fiji's new ruler, Commodore Frank Bainimarama told a news conference he has imposed martial law to return the country to peace and stability. "I have with much reluctance, assumed executive authority of the country, and henceforth declared martial law," said Bainimarama. "The primary objective of this government is to take the country toward peace and stability and the well-being of Fiji at the earliest opportunity." Bainimarama said that President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who took executive control of Fiji after the coup, had voluntarily resigned to allow the military to take over. Mara has not issued any official statement and is reportedly on a Fiji navy vessel. | | Rebel leader George Speight continues to hold Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and other politicians hostage. Speight is demanding the removal from power of both Prime Minister Chaudhry and President Mara and a return to Fiji's racist constitution which would bar Indians from holding key political offices. Last year Chaudhry fired Speight as chairman of two lucrative timber companies. He received appointment to the two posts by the previous government in which his father was a high ranking member. Speight issued statements today that papers discovered in Chaudhry's office prove that Chaudhry was involved in a plot to enhance the power and influence of Fiji's Indians. "They had a project, a very comprehensive social and political plan aimed at all levels of society but specifically undermining Fijian political and traditional structures with a view to entrenching Indian influence in Fiji," Speight said in a radio interview. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
