FIJIAN military commander Frank Bainimarama has refused to heed calls from his counterparts in neighbouring countries - including Australia's defence force chief, Angus Houston - not to carry out his threat to force the resignation of the Qarase Government. As two Australian warships, HMAS Newcastle and HMAS Kanimbla, approach Fiji, the Howard Government remains deeply concerned about the military's intentions. | The view from Canberra is that Commodore Bainimarama will not hesitate to stage a military coup if he cannot intimidate the Government into stepping down. |
Mr Qarase, whose Government delivered this year's budget yesterday to a parliament under a heavy security lockdown, said he was comforted by assurances given by the acting commander. "He gave me an assurance again that the military never intended to stage a coup and they are continuing with their war of words, as they put it," Mr Qarase said. "I think the message to our people is that things are normal. Unfortunately we had this hiccup, but we will deal with it ... in our own way."