Fiji troops surround police HQ [+audio report @ bottom of article]

UPDATED 1.25pm Monday December 4, 2006

By Phil Taylor and agencies

 

Soldiers have reportedly taken over the headquarters of Fiji's armed police division, in the first military action since Army chief Frank Bainimarama threatened a coup against Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's administration.

 

Local television reported that police had been locked out of their premises about eight kilometers north of the capital Suva, but that no shots were fired.

 

Police are still manning the gates of the building, but there are soldiers standing behind them.

 

The Fiji Times said an unnamed policeman had confirmed that soldiers had taken over the Fiji Police Tactical Response Division.

 

Commodore Bainimarama had set a deadline of noon last Friday for the government to bow to the military's demands, which included disbanding the police unit.

 

The newspaper quoted Acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver as saying the unit's headquarters had not been taken over.

 

"We received a request from the military for soldiers to view weapons in our armoury, for what reason we don't know," he told the paper.

 

"We told them we would need approval for this from the Home Affairs Minister and before we could get that approval, the soldiers arrived at the PTRD headquarters in Nasinu.

 

"We've told them to wait while we sort it and the soldiers are there now just waiting for the approval to come through. There is no takeover ... they are sitting there with the police officers awaiting the approval.

 

"We are hopeful that there is no confrontation."

 

Around 200 people have gathered to watch the military action.

 

More than 100 troops in battle gear earlier paraded inside the military's Queen Elizabeth Barracks headquarters on a hilltop overlooking Suva.

 

A Fijian newspaper yesterday cited "well-placed sources" in the military and Government, as saying a blockade was expected to be put in place at 3am.

 

The Sunday Post said Fiji's president would then dismiss the current Government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and dissolve parliament.

 

During an hour-long interview on Fiji television last night military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama was not asked directly about reports of the blockade, but his tone also suggested action was imminent.

 

He said the Army was taking over and warned against intervention by foreign troops.

 

Qarase in office

 

However, the prime minister was today at his office and Fiji's upper house, the Senate, began sitting at 9.30am as usual.

 

"I am in the office right now," Mr Qarase told ABC radio, before news of the troop movement.

 

"Everything is normal in the city and there is no indication that something will happen," Mr Qarase said.

 

Mr Qarase said he had not been able to have discussions with Commodore Bainimarama, although they had been exchanging views through the office of the vice-president.

 

"I certainly would welcome face-to-face discussions but I think he does not like the idea," he said.

 

Mr Qarase said he enjoyed wide support in Fiji.