For the fourth time in twenty years, Fiji's military has decided that a change of government is needed, without the need for that time consuming electoral process.
The latest coup began today as military units surrounded the police barracks and took their weapons away, while at the same time the Prime Minister's residence was surrounded as he was given advice as to a wiser career path outside of governance.
The capital of Suva was in a state of occupation as the military began to take control of the day to day handling of the nation's governing, despite contradictory declarations of support from the country's president. Obervers are of mixed emotions regarding the coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama and whether he is indeed a protector of the people or just another power seeking general looking for a spot on the world stage.
The coup has raised alarm bells in Australia and New Zealand as many of the residents of those countries use Fiji as a vacation destination. The Australian Navy had dispatched three destroyers to the waters off of Fiji just in case their nationals require assistance in leaving the country. Though the Australian Prime Minister John Howard was quick to point out that he had turned down the suggestion of the recently deposed Prime Minister that Australian troops should have been sent to preven the coup.
Interestingly enough the coup was supposed to have taken place last Friday at noon, but plans were held off until a much anticipated rugby match between the army and police had been completed. Which would all seem rather Monty Pythonish if not for the serious nature of the days events today.
Good thing for the Army that the rugby match didn't end in a draw!
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