Riverside Rugby

Fijian Prime minister Laisenia Qarase was overthrown in a military coup by Commodore Frank Bainimarama. Mr Bainimarama has invoked special powers under the constitution to assume some presidential powers. Bainamarama intends to return power to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo.The families of Fijian miltary officers in Australia and New Zealand are being expelled from the country. Qarase had asked Australia for military assistance prior to the coup, but The Australian Prime Minister John Howard denied the request. Howard said, “The possibility of Australian and Fijian troops firing on each other in the streets of Suva was not a prospect that I for a moment thought desirable.”Our hopes are for a quick and peaceful resolution to the conflict.