Fiji's self-appointed prime minister has hit back at criticism of his rule by the United States, likening his actions to those who fought for American independence.
Commander Frank Bainimarama, who seized power from the elected government in a coup last year, today replied to a rebuke from USSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
In May Rice told a meeting of Pacific nations in Washington that democracy should return to Fiji.
"The Pacific cannot devolve into an area where strong men unilaterally decide the fates of their country and destabilise democratic foundations of their neighbours," she said.
But Bainimarama today likened his actions to the strong-arm methods of those who fought in America's Revolutionary War against Britain.
"Two hundred years ago in America it was strong-arm people that made America what it is today, one of the most powerful countries if not the most powerful and prosperous country. Two hundred years ago.
"One hundred and fifty years ago America had the constitution up and running. One hundred and fifty years ago we were still clubbing one another," Bainimarama said.
The United States declared independence from Britain in 1776 and the US government began operating under their own constitution in 1789.
Bainimarama said Fiji had a long way to go before it could be directly compared to the United States.
"We are just starting a long journey. They have gone through that," Bainimarama said.
"They think that because we wear the same clothes and we answer mobiles and you are holding the tape recorder they are the same as us, but we have not come to that state yet.
"My advice is really ... to let us be. Let us sort our problems out and the election is not going to do it for us," he said.
