Fiji Edging Closer To Coup

It appears that Fiji is getting closer to show time for a coup by the defense forces. Australian forces have begun voluntary evacuations of the families of Australian High Commission members. The Australians had an accident with a helicopter and have suffered one killed and one missing in the mishap.

AUSTRALIA last night began a voluntary evacuation of the families of Australian high commission staff in Suva as Fijian troops in battle gear locked down the capital in a show of force.

The Fijian military launched a barrage of artillery illumination flares into the sea near the entrance to Suva harbour.

It was a move designed to warn Australia and other states not to back a military intervention in the crisis over a threatened coup by defence force chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

Military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni announced the military "exercise" yesterday afternoon at about 2.30pm (1.30pm AEST) saying it was to prepare for foreign forces entering the country.

Major Leweni told The Australian the army would do what it needed to defend Fiji's sovereignty. He did not detail any specific threat.

However, a meeting of Pacific nations in Sydney on Friday could possibly recommend intervention after a request from Fiji's elected Government under the Biketawa Agreement.

Intervention is something that Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has not ruled out.

"Other people will say they haven't really ruled out any foreign intervention and that's an appropriate measure and any military would prepare itself for this sort of intervention," Major Leweni said.

Shortly before 11pm, Fijiian troops started moving out of the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in the suburb of Nabua. Four lorries, each containing 15 fully-armed troops in battle dress, left the barracks and headed into Suva, beginning the transport of troops to secure strategic sites in the city by midnight.

They were due back in barracks by 3am. The artillery barrage was due to be conducted at the same time.

The shells will be targeted around the island where 2000 coup leader George Speight and some of his fellow plotters are being held in prison.

Major Leweni said any civilians in the city at that time would be safe and that staff at the strategic sites had no reason to worry.

This is not looking really hopeful to avoid the coup at this minute. If surrounding nations do decide to intervene preemptively, they may head it off.