Fiji military says 300 apply for post-coup govt

Suva, Dec 11: Fiji's military chief, who last week led a bloodless but strongly-opposed coup in the South Pacific nation, said today more than 300 people had applied to fill cabinet posts in a military-appointed interim government.

Amid widespread condemnation to the coup -- Fiji's fourth in less than 20 years -- Gen Frank Bainimarama advertised in Saturday's newspapers for people of ''outstanding character'' to form a new government after he toppled democratically-elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase last Tuesday.

''The initial phase of this peaceful transition is almost over,'' Bainimarama told a news conference.

''We are currently processing over 300 applicants who have responded to the advertisement for posts in the interim government,'' he said, adding the deadline for applicants, who must have ten years work experience or be tertiary educated, was Tuesday afternoon.

Bainimarama has named himself acting president and appointed an interim prime minister, a 77-year-old former army doctor and Methodist lay preacher with little political experience.

Bainimarama claimed Qarase's government was corrupt and soft on those behind Fiji's last coup in 2000. But this latest coup has been slammed as illegal by traditional and powerful chiefs and churches and brought international condemnation.

Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), the influential traditional authority, has resisted Bainimarama's attempts to get it to meet to endorse the reinstatement of Fiji's president, the first step toward naming an interim government.

''We are hindered a little by the GCC refusal to meet, but it is an obstacle that we can overcome,'' Bainimarama said.

''In time, the interim government should be in place and they will carry forward the task of running the country in a (direction) that will bring about peace, harmony and prosperity.'' Australia, which has prohibited Fiji's military or their family members from entering the country, has said anyone who serves in the military's interim government would also be banned.

The former British colony has been suspended from the Commonwealth and Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States have imposed economic and defence sanctions. * Qarase, who was flown by troops to his home island after the coup, has said he will return to the capital this week and has called for non-violent protests against his overthrow.

''We've told him to stay at home,'' a Fijian army spokesman said today, warning Qarase he may be arrested if he returns.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has called for passive resistance to restore democracy, but Bainimarama said the military would use force to suppress any opposition.

''His (Downer's) inciting statements will only result in violence that will cause misery,'' he said.

Reuters