17 Jan 2004

Fiji military reacts angrily to coup speculation

9:07 am on 17 January 2004

Fiji's military has reacted angrily to speculation that a coup may be imminent to support the retention of the military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, in his post.

Radio Fiji says the military has questioned the reasons behind such speculation.

The military says it is in everyone's best interest to clarify why they think the army commander's term cannot be renewed.

The comments follow growing public acrimony between Commodore Bainimarama, who wants to stay in his job after his term expires in March to complete coup and mutiny prosecutions, and government officials who want a new commander to replace him.

The latest report says there is a serious split among senior army officers over a directive from Commodore Bainimarama to pledge loyalty to his continued leadership of the military.

Radio Fiji reports that a group of officers has been told to go on leave after they pledged their loyalty to the army as an institution and not to the commander personally.

Police say they have not received any information about any possible disturbance at the military headquarters.