No sign of resolution after Fiji crisis talks end

WELLINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) Crisis talks between Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his defiant military chief ended in New Zealand today with no clear sign of an agreement to avert a fourth coup in 20 years.

Qarase and military chief Commander Frank Bainimarama were on their way home after two hours of talks, the premier on board a New Zealand Air Force plane and Bainimarama on a commercial flight.

Qarase described the New Zealand-brokered talks as ''very meaningful'' but did not say if a resolution had been reached.

''Hopefully we will have further talks when we return to Fiji,'' he told reporters outside the Government House in Wellington.

Bainimarama, who arrived for the talks 40 minutes after Qarase and entered via a back door, left grim-faced without making any comment.

Qarase had said before the talks that the future of the South Pacific island nation rested on the outcome of the meeting.

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

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

Armed soldiers have been patrolling the streets of the Fijian capital Suva this week, amid fears that a coup would be launched within days. Suva streets were calm today, with markets and businesses open.

Guards have also been patrolling the president's residence, while hundreds of army reservists have been recalled for unscheduled exercises across the island nation.

Bainimarama issued Qarase a list of ''non-negotiable demands'' and a two-week deadline before he left for New Zealand last week, at the same time threatening a ''clean-up'' of Qarase's government.

He remained defiant yesterday, bluntly warning Qarase that all he wanted to hear was yes or no to his demands.

Fijian police are investigating whether Bainimarama should face sedition charges over his threats. Many Fijians believe laying charges would be a flash point in the crisis.

Bainimarama's list of demands include the sacking or resignation of Fiji Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes, an Australian who announced the sedition investigation.

Australia, New Zealand and Britain have warned their citizens to avoid travelling to Fiji, saying that security could deteriorate rapidly, while the United Nations has also expressed its concern.

A meeting of South Pacific foreign ministers will be held in Sydney on Friday in a bid to find a diplomatic solution.

REUTERS AKJ RAI0911