Fiji PM to meet military chief in New Zealand

SUVA, Nov 28 (Reuters) Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase will leave today for crisis talks in New Zealand with his defiant military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who has repeatedly threatened to bring down his elected government.

Qarase said the talks would take place in the New Zealand capital Wellington today and tomorrow in a bid to avert a fourth coup in the South Pacific island nation in 20 years.

''The discussions are to find a solution for the betterment of the country and to put an end to the impasse,'' Qarase told Reuters in Fijian.

''I am confident that the commander will be available for the meeting and come to an amicable solution,'' he said.

Qarase thanked New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for arranging the talks as nerves begin to fray in the Fiji capital Suva.

Armed soldiers have begun patrols of Suva streets and soldiers dressed in camouflage gear are guarding the president's residence, Government House.

Bainimarama has threatened to bring down Qarase's government unless he drops several contentious pieces of legislation, including a bill that would grant amnesties to those behind a 2000 coup.

Bainimarama issued Qarase a list of ''non-negotiable demands'' and a two-week deadline before he left for a private visit in New Zealand last week. He was to have returned to Fiji today.

Fears of another coup have alarmed Fiji's South Pacific neighbours Australia and New Zealand, who have warned their nationals against travelling there.

A meeting of regional foreign ministers will also be held in Sydney on Friday in an attempt to broker a settlement.

Reuters DH VP0735