Fiji President returns but military still in charge

Suva, Jan 4: Fiji's military handed executive authority back to the South Pacific nation's ageing and ailing president today, a month after its bloodless coup, but the army remained in charge with no clear sign of new elections.

Military chief Frank Bainimarama took over executive authority from President Ratu Josefa Iloilo when he ousted the elected government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase on December 5, declaring a state of emergency and dissolving parliament.

''We trust his wisdom and believe that he will exercise his executive power with resolve,'' Bainimarama said in announcing Iloilo's reappointment.

''I now hand over executive authority to the president. God bless Fiji,'' he said.

Bainimarama toppled Qarase in Fiji's fourth coup in 20 years, claiming the largely indigenous government was corrupt and too soft on those responsible for the previous coup in 2000.

News Web site fijilive.com quoted unidentified sources later today as saying that Iloilo would appoint Bainimarama as interim prime minister tomorrow.

Iloilo, who is in his 80s and in poor health, is rarely seen in public but backed Bainimarama's actions and said he would grant immunity from civil and criminal prosecution for those involved in toppling Qarase.

''I thank him and his men and women for having the courage to step in. And for handing back all my executive powers,'' Iloilo said in a rare national address.

Bainimarama said caretaker Prime Minister Jona Baravilala Senilagakali, a former army doctor and Methodist lay preacher with no political experience, had resigned earlier today.

Firm Control

Despite that resignation and Iloilo's reappointment, the military remained firmly in control with Bainimarama-appointed figures remaining in all key posts.

The military took out newspaper advertisments after its coup seeking applicants for places in the interim government and has said it has a shortlist of 31 potential appointees.

Iloilo said he would consult ''capable people'' before announcing the interim government to lead Fiji to new elections. He gave no indication when those elections might be held.

Bainimarama sacked Iloilo's former vice president, widely respected jurist Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, during a widesprea purge of senior officials in the public service, judiciary and police.

The military has also cracked down hard on opponents of the coup, detaining and questioning human rights activists, trade union leaders and many others who have expressed dissent.

Bainimarama's coup brought international condemnation, with Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States imposing economic and defence sanctions.

A former British colony, Fiji had its Commonwealth membership suspended in protest at the coup, just as it had after similar upheavals in 1987 and 2000.

Many warned that the coup would significantly damage Fiji's fragile economy, which is based on tourism and an outdated and inefficient sugar industry. Tourism bookings fell dramatically around the time of the coup.

Reuters