Military regime cracks down on critics in Fiji
12/10/2006 | 06:14 PM
SUVA, Fiji - The military regime announced Sunday a crackdown on critics of Fiji's coup, just hours after a house that had become a rallying point for those wanting a return to democracy was ransacked by unknown assailants.
Military spokesman Maj. Neumi Leweni confirmed reports Sunday that dissidents were being hauled into Suva's military headquarters.
"When we hear or it is reported that... anyone is attempting to make any statements that will be inciting or trying to cause problems we will... call that individual and we will speak to them and inform them of our stance and (ask) them to refrain from making such statements," Leweni told Fiji's Radio Legend Sunday.
At the so-called Democracy Shrine in a Suva suburb, house owner Laisa Digitaki said neighbors saw men in civilian clothes carrying rifles trash the property, smash windows and a satellite dish, and rip pro-democracy banners from fences and verandahs. Her neighbors declined to be named, fearing reprisals.
The house, where young people gather to demand the return of the ousted democratic government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, has displayed banners reading "Yes to democracy — No to guns" for the past week.
"The military have been warning us to dismantle them. But we told them every time they called us we would continue to have the (pro democracy) banners up," Digitaki said.
Three multi-denominational church services were held in Fiji Sunday as Christians called for "unity in a time of crisis."
Some 3,000 took part in a service in Suva, addressed by preachers opposed to the military takeover and seeking a return to democratic rule.
On Saturday, Qarase's personal secretary Sakeasi Ditoka said the deposed premier would return within days to Suva despite the risk of arrest by the military.
Qarase fled the capital Thursday to his home island in the archipelago's north after Bainimarama seized power Tuesday.
Ditoka said Qarase was taking seriously an arrest threat from Bainimarama.
"We're expecting that too. We know what's going to happen. But we need to come back for everybody's sake," Ditoka said. "The people want their leader among them."
Qarase's vow to return to the fray came after Bainimarama ran want ads in local newspapers Saturday to fill vacant Cabinet jobs as he tries to piece together a post-coup government.
The coup — Fiji's fourth in nearly two decades — was the culmination of a long impasse between Bainimarama and Qarase over bills offering pardons to conspirators in a 2000 coup and handing lucrative coastal land ownership to indigenous Fijians. Bainimarama says the bills are racist.
Bainimarama on Tuesday announced he had assumed presidential powers and dismissed the government. He declared a state of emergency, dissolved Parliament, and threw up a security cordon around Suva. He warned he will use force to quickly put down any dissent. - AP
Military spokesman Maj. Neumi Leweni confirmed reports Sunday that dissidents were being hauled into Suva's military headquarters.
"When we hear or it is reported that... anyone is attempting to make any statements that will be inciting or trying to cause problems we will... call that individual and we will speak to them and inform them of our stance and (ask) them to refrain from making such statements," Leweni told Fiji's Radio Legend Sunday.
At the so-called Democracy Shrine in a Suva suburb, house owner Laisa Digitaki said neighbors saw men in civilian clothes carrying rifles trash the property, smash windows and a satellite dish, and rip pro-democracy banners from fences and verandahs. Her neighbors declined to be named, fearing reprisals.
The house, where young people gather to demand the return of the ousted democratic government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, has displayed banners reading "Yes to democracy — No to guns" for the past week.
"The military have been warning us to dismantle them. But we told them every time they called us we would continue to have the (pro democracy) banners up," Digitaki said.
Three multi-denominational church services were held in Fiji Sunday as Christians called for "unity in a time of crisis."
Some 3,000 took part in a service in Suva, addressed by preachers opposed to the military takeover and seeking a return to democratic rule.
On Saturday, Qarase's personal secretary Sakeasi Ditoka said the deposed premier would return within days to Suva despite the risk of arrest by the military.
Qarase fled the capital Thursday to his home island in the archipelago's north after Bainimarama seized power Tuesday.
Ditoka said Qarase was taking seriously an arrest threat from Bainimarama.
"We're expecting that too. We know what's going to happen. But we need to come back for everybody's sake," Ditoka said. "The people want their leader among them."
Qarase's vow to return to the fray came after Bainimarama ran want ads in local newspapers Saturday to fill vacant Cabinet jobs as he tries to piece together a post-coup government.
The coup — Fiji's fourth in nearly two decades — was the culmination of a long impasse between Bainimarama and Qarase over bills offering pardons to conspirators in a 2000 coup and handing lucrative coastal land ownership to indigenous Fijians. Bainimarama says the bills are racist.
Bainimarama on Tuesday announced he had assumed presidential powers and dismissed the government. He declared a state of emergency, dissolved Parliament, and threw up a security cordon around Suva. He warned he will use force to quickly put down any dissent. - AP
