Fijian soldiers are reported to be helping police restore order after a gang of armed men mounted a coup attempt in the capital Suva. The coup attempt began when seven armed civilians stormed parliament buildings and seized ethnic Indian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and several members of his cabinet. The Fijian president has declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew. Britain, India and New Zealand have called for the restoration of the democratically elected government.
The attack took place in the capital Suva on the first anniversary of the election of a government dominated by ethnic Indians. A previous coup took place in 1987 when the military ousted another Indian-led government. On this occasion, the coup leader is businessman George Speight, the son of an opposition politician. In a radio broadcast monitored in Australia, he said that he was taking the action on behalf of all indigenous Fijians who form just over 50% of the population compared to 44% of Indian origin.
The European Commission has said that it is unlikely that a new agreement between the EU and 71 former Africa, Caribbean and Pacific colonies will be signed in Fiji next month. A spokesperson for the Commission said that they were "unlikely" to proceed "for security and political reasons." He added that a further assessment of the situation would be made Monday when EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels.
