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Fiji PM hides as military chief watches rugby

Fiji's prime minister left the capital and went into hiding yesterday ahead of a military coup deadline, but soldiers stayed in their barracks and the armed forces chief spent the day in the stands at a rugby match.

Military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama reportedly said he had the "green light" to replace the government after his noon deadline passed without the government satisfying his demands, but took no action to do so.

Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said he had been told the deadline had been extended until Monday.

Bainimarama refused to comment on any extension, and was quoted by Fijian media as saying earlier, "when I will do something, I will let the people know."

The city was calm but tense throughout yesterday. Many offices were closed, but an annual sports day between the military and police forces went ahead at the national stadium before a crowd of several thousand.

Bainimarama, wearing a floral-printed shirt rather than military dress, attended the main event, a rugby match, sitting near Vice President Joni Mandraiwiwi and acting police chief Moses Driver.

There were behind-the-scenes moves yesterday, but their purpose and outcomes were unclear. Bainimarama visited President Ratu Josefa Iloilo for about 40 minutes yesterday morning.

Qarase, in an interview with the Legend radio network, said the vice president later tried to arrange a meeting with him, but he was unavailable because the leader had left the capital. He added that the government had put in place a plan to split Cabinet members up and go to undisclosed locations.

"We are in complete control of the government and in complete control of the administration," he added.

Qarase also urged the citizens of Fiji "to stand up and be counted."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday issued a travel alert for Fiji and urged Taiwanese to postpone visits to the country.

Taiwanese nationals in Fiji can call the Taiwanese mission's emergency line, 679-992-6661, the ministry said.
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