Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase (pictured) has said he is not sure who is in control of Fiji, but that soldiers had surrounded his home and control the capital. Military commander Commodore Frank Bainmarama has called for Qarase to resign and had promised to "clean up" the government.
Bainmarama's strategy appeared to be to pressure Qarase to resign or create an environment in which Iloilo can declare the government unable to rule and dismiss it -- a measure allowed under the constitution that could avoid the international censure and possible sanctions that would come from a military takeover.
It looks like Bainmarama is in control and that he is approaching this takeover carefully. He does not want to get the international community involved. So far, that appears to be working, as the Australian Prime Minister said Tuesday "I did not think it was in Australia's interest to become involved." New Zealand did not take the news quite as well and have cut off ties with Fiji's military.
Almost all of Fiji's economy is tied to tourism, so I cannot imagine that those in charge will allow too much bloodshed or unrest. No one wants to vacation in an unstable country. Having said that, this would be the fourth coup in 19 years for Fiji and they still welcome about 400,000 visitors a year.
UPDATE: CNN is reporting that Bainmarama has declared control of Fiji. I am sure articles will follow soon.
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