Archive for December, 2006

The military rule became more entrenched in Fiji today. Prime Minister fled to his home island. He says economic sanctions will do more harm than good. There are eight stories listed on Pacific Beat. Commadore Bainimarama says he only intends to be Prime Minister for “a week.” yeah right…

Fiji’s 4th coup in 20 years took place tonight at 6.00pm. The announcement came after Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase was put under house arrest; he refuses to resign. Fijian soldiers are setting up roadblocks throughout Suva, something they know a bit about from their peacekeeping tours of duty. The expectations a coup would be staged have been running high for weeks and until tonight it had been averted by last-ditch talks by New Zealand, a rugby match Friday, and the weekend, but not by Australia warships. Military Commander Frank Bainimarama is President of the Fiji Rugby Union