Reuters AlertNet Lite - CHRONOLOGY-Path to a coup: Two months of tension in Fiji

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

CHRONOLOGY-Path to a coup: Two months of tension in Fiji

05 Dec 2006 05:38:04 GMT
Source: Reuters

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said he was under house arrest on Tuesday, with military surrounding his residence in the capital Suva, but vowed not to resign.

Here is a timeline showing the build-up to Pacific country's fourth coup in 20 years:

- Oct 17, 2006: Defiant military chief Frank Bainimarama gives Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase a three-week ultimatum to drop two controversial bills or be forced from office.

- Oct 31: President Ratu Josefa Iloilo summons a senior army officer and asks him to replace Bainimarama, who is away visiting Fijian troops in the Middle East, but the request is declined.

- Nov 1: Bainimarama says he will remove the prime minister on his return to Fiji. Troops seize tonnes of ammunition. Australia puts two warships on standby to evacuate its citizens.

- Nov 5: Fiji's military accuses Australia of breaching its sovereignty, after it sends an unspecified number of police to protect its embassy in Suva. Australia says the police were sent because of fears of a violent coup.

- Nov 24: Bainimarama on a visit to New Zealand warns South Pacific neighbours to back off and stay out of Fiji's business, after Australia's Downer suggests regional governments help resolve the impasse.

- Nov 27: Both Australia and New Zealand warn citizens not to travel to Fiji, as small groups of armed police patrol the capital Suva.

- Nov 29: Qarase and Bainimarama hold crisis talks in the New Zealand capital, Wellington, amid fears that a coup would be launched within days.

- Nov 30: Bainimarama gives Qarase a 24-hour deadline to clean up his government or face being overthrown, despite Qarase's suspending three pieces of legislation the military chief wanted dropped.

- Dec 1: Bainimarama extends the deadline until noon on Dec. 4. Qarase and his ministers go into hiding. Suva residents stockpile food and cash, while tourists loll on the island's beaches.

- Dec 5: Troops set up roadblocks around Suva, surround Qarase's residence, prime minister says he is under house arrest but will not resign. President says he opposes military's action, calls on Fijians to pray for their island country.

Source: Reuters

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Fiji profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• Alliance urges action to close the HIV services gap at International Development Committee session on global HIV epidemic
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

MORE >>

Latest news

• CHRONOLOGY-Path to a coup: Two months of tension in Fiji

• Fiji PM says he is under house arrest

• Fiji parliament dissolved, says New Zealand PM

• Australia fears super fires as temperatures soar

• Armed Fijian troops surround PM's residence

MORE >>

Last updated:Tue Dec 5 05:38:54 2006