US Condemns Fiji Coup, Suspends Military Aid

The United States has joined several other countries and the United Nations in condemning the military coup in Fiji. The small U.S. military aid program to the Pacific island state has been suspended because of Tuesday's events. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

The United States had in recent weeks issued several public warnings against a military coup in Fiji amid the political unrest in the island state.

Now that the admonitions have apparently gone unheeded, the Bush administration is condemning the takeover and has suspended aid to the Fijian military pending a formal U.S. determination of what has occurred.

At a news briefing, State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack condemned the coup announced by Fiji's military chief, Frank Bainimarama.

But he also noted that country's civilian leaders have refused to step aside and said the United States does not view the stated military takeover as irreversible.