Australia, NZ warn of growing Fiji coup fears

SUVA, Nov 27 (Reuters) The risk of a military coup in Fiji has become too close for comfort, the nation's police chief said today, as Australia and New Zealand urged their citizens to avoid travel to the South Pacific island nation.

Small groups of armed soldiers patrolled the streets of the capital Suva today, while others dressed in camouflage uniforms guarded the president's residence.

Fiji Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes, who is at the centre of a standoff with the nation's defiant military chief, warned that the likelihood of a fourth coup in 20 years has become ''too close for comfort''.

''This week, I think, is going to be a critical turning point in the whole thing,'' Hughes told New Zealand radio. ''We just have virtually every date on the calendar in December circled .... it's very fluid.'' The warning comes as police continue investigations into whether military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama should be charged with sedition over his repeated threats to remove Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to remove Qarase's elected government unless it drops several pieces of contentious legislation, including a bill that would granted amnesty to those involved in a coup in 2000.

Last week Bainimarama delivered the government a list of non-negotiable demands and a two-week deadline to comply, and has recalled army reservists in readiness for what he describes as a clean-up of the Qarase government.

An upgraded Australian government travel advisory said citizens should consider leaving Suva if they were concerned for their safety.

''There are ongoing tensions between the Fiji government and the Fiji military forces and the possibility of a military coup against the government. Political tensions could lead to mob violence and civil disorder,'' it said.

New Zealand also urged its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Fiji and closed its High Commission in Suva. Embassy staff were moved to the sugar and tourism hub of Nadi on the west coast of Fiji's main island Viti Levu.

''People are getting uncomfortable, especially at night,'' a Suva resident said.

Bainimarama, who is in New Zealand on a private visit, has also called on Police Commissioner Hughes, an Australian, to resign or be removed over the sedition investigation.

Bainimarama was incensed this month by Australia's decision to position naval ships near Fiji in case it needs to evacuate its citizens.

''I think a coup is very likely to occur,'' Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today.

''We've all been doing our best to try to discourage Commodore Bainimarama, but he still seems to me to be pretty set on his plans,'' Downer told Australian radio.

A spokesman for the Pacific Islands Forum said a meeting of the regional grouping's foreign ministers had been called at Qarase's request in a bid to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The meeting will take place in Sydney on Friday.

Bainimarama has rejected any suggestion of a third country brokering a settlement.

Fiji has suffered three coups since 1987. Bainimarama was almost killed in a bloody but failed mutiny attempt linked to the 2000 coup.

REUTERS BDP PM0949