6 December 2006Miami HeraldRay Lilley
Fiji's military ruler declared a state of emergency today one day after seizing power, local radio reported, as police, ousted politicians and senior bureaucrats defied his coup with passive resistance and international sanctions began isolating the South Pacific country.
Commodore Frank Bainimarama ordered that a security cordon be set up around the capital, Suva, checkpoints established at strategic points around the city, and said all military reserves ''will be marched into'' military camps to support the state of emergency, the Legend radio network reported.
Bainimarama also swore political novice Dr. Jona Senilagakali in as caretaker prime minister, replaced the country's police chief and said that elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase ``and his cronies are not coming back.''
The emergency declaration came after troops held meetings with acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver, who had earlier issued a statement denouncing the military takeover and instructing his officers not to comply with any orders given by the military regime.
Driver was taken to the main military barracks in Suva under duress, after troops came to police headquarters and demanded he accompany them, police spokeswoman Sylvia Low said.
Troops also entered and broke up a meeting of senior government bureaucrats who had convened to discuss Tuesday's takeover. Qarase's permanent secretary Jioji Kotobalavu was taken away by soldiers who said he was wanted for discussions at the military base, said Labor Minister Krishna Datt.
Soldiers also broke up a session of the Senate, which had convened this morning and resumed its scheduled budget deliberations. Troops entered the chamber and ordered lawmakers to end their session, which they did peacefully, said clerk of parliament Mary Chapman.
Qarase flew out of Suva today at the request of the military, returning to his home village on an outlying island, said Pene Nonu, his private secretary.
Qarase insists he is still Fiji's legitimate leader, and late Tuesday urged Fijians to peacefully oppose the armed forces.
The prime minister's home, where he said he had considered himself under house arrest, became a focal point for government supporters on Tuesday, with scores of people gathering to sing hymns and say prayers as troops stood guard.
Criticism of the military was subdued after censors were sent to newspapers, radio and television stations. One mainstream daily, the Fiji Times, decided not to publish Tuesday rather than submit to censorship, though it said it would resume printing this afternoon after the military said it would not interfere.
International condemnation of Bainimarama's takeover flowed in.
Washington suspended $2.5 million in aid to Fiji used mostly for military sales and training, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
Australia on Tuesday joined New Zealand in suspending military ties with Fiji and slapping travel bans on armed forces officers and anyone who joins the planned interim administration.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan strongly deplored the coup and demanded the elected government be immediately restored to power, said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
