Fiji PM, military clash as instability fears rise

SUVA, Fiji, Mar 14 (Reuters) Fiji's Prime Minister today bluntly warned the South Pacific nation's outspoken Military Chief to stay out of politics, ratcheting up fears of more unrest before a May election.

Military Chief Frank Bainimarama has been a frequent critic of the largely indigenous government, warning several times that he would take power if it passed a contentious law that would grant an amnesty to the leaders of a 2000 nationalist coup.

He accuses Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase of being too soft on the leaders of the 2000 coup that ultimately brought Qarase to power after Bainimarama declared martial law and installed him as caretaker leader.

But Qarase hit back today, warning the military boss that his frequent political interference was ''undemocratic and unwarranted''.

''The commander's stated intention of involving the military in the national election campaign is a threat to peace and stability, and the conduct of free and fair elections,'' said Qarase, who won free elections in 2001.

''There is growing concern and resentment among large sections of the public about the aggressive and destabilising stance taken by the commander,'' he said in a statement.

'WEAK LEADERSHIP' Bainimarama accused Qarase of weak leadership, saying he condemned Fiji to political instability by allowing some of those convicted after the 2000 coup -- including paroled former Vice-President Ratu Jope Seniloli -- to return to normal life.

''By not having programmes to educate people that what happened in 2000 was wrong, we will continue to live in an area of instability like that of 2000,'' Bainimarama told Reuters in the Fijian capital Suva. ''The government has not done right by the military ... Qarase is not bold and strong enough to give back to the army what we had given the government in the past,'' he said.

Bainimarama maintained the military would continue to play a role in politics by educating Fijians about the events of 2000, although he said it would not tell people who to vote for.

Racial tensions between indigenous Fijians and ethnic Indians, whose ancestors were brought to Fiji to work British sugarcane farms, have sparked the three coups and a military mutiny since 1987.

Bainimarama barely escaped the mutiny several months after the 2000 coup and vowed to crack down on those responsible.

Bainimarama has also frequently criticised Qarase of adopting populist, pro-indigenous policies which disadvantage Fiji's economically Indian minority.

The 2000 coup toppled ethnic Indian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, the Labour Party leader who is expected to challenge Qarase in May 6-13 elections.

Qarase called the election five months before it was due in part because of his controversial Truth and Reconciliation Bill that had upset Bainimarama.

Qarase had promised to serve a full five-year term but called an early poll after forming a grand indigenous coalition between his Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party and others including 2000 coup leader George Speight's Conservative Alliance.

Bainimarama fears the coalition will give Qarase sufficient numbers in a new government to pass the bill, which could see Speight and others released from their prison island off Suva.

Australia has warned Fiji's military not to disrupt the election and to respect the rule of law.

REUTERS