Government News: Top Stories

Fiji leader imposes state of emergency
by Pita Ligaiula

The Associated Press Translate This Article
7 September 2007

SUVA, Fiji (AP) - Fiji's military-led government imposed a monthlong state of emergency Thursday, accusing the prime minister who was ousted in a coup last year of seeking to ``destabilize'' the South Pacific nation.

The United States, the European Union, the British Commonwealth and New Zealand condemned the move by self-named interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who seized power in the bloodless December coup.

Under the measures, the military regime has the right to detain Fijians without charge. Public meetings are only allowed with formal police approval, while street marches are banned entirely.

In April, Fiji's interim government agreed that by the end of May 2007 it would lift emergency regulations imposed six months earlier in return for about $247 million in European aid.

Bainimarama said the latest measures were needed to halt ``destabilization'' efforts by ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and others from his indigenous Fijian-dominated Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua party.

Qarase returned to the capital Suva last weekend after more than eight months in self-imposed exile on his home island Vanuabalavu. He fled there after Bainimarama launched the coup.

Upon arriving in Suva, Qarase offered to work with Bainimarama's government—an offer that was rejected by the military chief. Despite the reconciliatory gesture, Qarase also initiated court action seeking to declare Bainimarama's government illegal.

Bainimarama said Qarase will be sent back to Vanuabalavu if he continues his efforts.

The U.S. said the move cast doubt on the military's commitment to restoring human rights, civil liberties and democratic rule in Fiji and its ``willingness to work with the Pacific Islands Forum and the rest of the international community in organizing new elections.''

``We have consistently called on the interim government to take meaningful steps to respect human rights and civil liberties, withdraw the military completely from government and hold new elections as quickly as possible,'' its Embassy in Suva said in a statement.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters condemned the government's move as a ``totally disastrous, retrograde step'' that will be ``economically costly for Fiji.''

The E.U. said Friday ``it is not apparent which threats to national security, public order and safety exist to justify such a drastic measure as bringing back the Public Emergency Regulations.''

Bainimarama has announced elections may be held in March 2009 after receiving strong pressure from the E.U., the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and other South Pacific nations.

Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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