N Zealand warns against Fiji travel over coup fears

WELLINGTON, Nov 27 (Reuters) New Zealand warned its citizens today to avoid non-essential travel to Fiji due to the risk of a military coup in the South Pacific island nation.

''Although the situation is currently calm, underlying tensions could result in rapid deterioration,'' the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement.

The warning came as Fijian authorities consider whether to charge military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama with plotting to overthrow the government.

Bainimarama has repeatedly threatened to remove the government unless it drops several pieces of contentious legislation including a bil that would have granted amnesties to those involved in a coup in 2000.

Last week he delivered the government a list of non-negotiable demands and a two-week deadline to comply.

New Zealand's foreign ministry said there was a high risk in the capital, Suva, and an increasing risk in the country as a whole. The ministry warned against all non-essential travel to Fiji, adding that a further escalation would result in a warning to avoid all travel.

The Australian government said on Thursday there was clear evidence that Bainimarama was planning a coup to overthrow the elected government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

There have been three military coups dating back to 1987 in Fiji, a popular destination for New Zealand and Australian tourists.

Reuters DH VP0535