Fiji government says in control after military 'situation'

Commodore Frank Bainimarama. File picture / Reuters

SUVA - Fiji's government insists it's in full control of the South Pacific country despite reports of a challenge to its outspoken military chief by senior officers amid new coup fears.

The country's home affairs minister said there was a "situation" at military barracks in Suva yesterday but there was no threat to security despite an increased police presence.

A military spokesman today said the reported confrontation between Commodore Frank Bainimarama and a group of senior officers over his threats to take seize from the government had been blown out of proportion.

Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola was meeting this morning with Acting President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi over the standoff between Bainimarama and the government.

"Today's meeting would clear a lot of issues in respect to what actions or how the government will deal with the current situation," a spokesman for Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said.
Qarase last night called for calm and said everything was under control.

He held a special security council meeting yesterday. Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes, an Australian, attended but Bainimarama was not invited.

"(Hughes) is fully aware of the situation and police will ensure law and order is maintained," Qarase told reporters.

The prime minister said he had been regularly briefed on the problems at the army camp.

"I appeal to the public to remain calm."

Local media reported that a group of senior military officers led by acting Land Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka confronted Bainimarama and demanded he stop speaking out against the government.

Military spokesman Captain Neumi Leweni today rejected that scenario.

"It wasn't a confrontation. It was just a meeting. People raised their own issues," Leweni said.

"It's been blown out of proportion. It was nothing really that was any cause for concern."

He said the issues discussed were military rather than political and Bainimarama was "absolutely" in control of the armed forces.

A heavily guarded Bainimarama watched a rugby training session in Suva last night and said there was no problems at the army base.

"Would I be here if there was instability between my senior officers and me?" he told reporters.

"The meeting we had was normal procedure."

Bainimarama had talks earlier in the week with Madraiwiwi in attempt to resolve his long-running feud with the government.

Last Sunday he released a statement saying he would take power from Qarase's government if it continued with racist policies which favoured indigenous nationalists over ethnic Indians and were sympathetic to those who staged the country's 2000 coup.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had updated its travel advisory about Fiji, warning nationals to play close attention to their personal security and monitor the media for information.

"We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Fiji because of current tensions involving the Fiji military forces," it says.

- AAP