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US should intervene in Fiji, says congressman

Shailendra Singh in Suva

There should be international military intervention to uphold democracy in Fiji if the armed forces fail to support the new democratically elected government, a US lawmaker has said.

Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (Democrat, American Samoa) was quoted by The Daily Post as saying that the new government -- which will be elected in the weeklong election that began on Saturday -- should seek US assistance if there is an attempt to destabilise and overthrow it.

He added that the US should intervene, even militarily, to uphold democracy if the Fijian military forces prove incapable of handling any upheaval in the country.

Faleomavaega said it was not the intention of the US to interfere in any country's internal affairs, but if those in power felt threatened and requested assistance -- and if the armed forces were helpless -- something had to done.

His comments came as the polls began on Saturday to restore democracy following last year's coup. Fiji has seen three coups in the last 13 years -- two by former army strongman Sitiveni Rabuka and the latest in May last year by failed businessman George Speight.

The motives given by the men were the same -- protecting indigenous Fijians, who make up 45 per cent of the country's 800,000 population, against the powerful Indian minority, descendants of farm labourers brought to Fiji in the 18th century, who today make up 44 per cent of the population and are ahead in commercial and professional fields.

Extremist elements have been threatening violence and bloodshed if deposed prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry is re-elected in the latest poll. They say the prime ministership should be reserved for an indigenous Fijian.

In an interview with The Daily Post, Faleomavaega said: "I believe that there has to be a collective sense of commitment not only by the US but also Australia and New Zealand for providing back-up to safeguard the interest of individuals in any one country, and Fiji should be no exception."

Chaudhry, who became Fiji's first Indo-Fijian prime minister, heads the Fiji Labour Party that is expected to win the most seats in the 71-member house.

While the Fijian military forces have said that they will take orders from the president in upholding the election results whatever the outcome, there is some unease because of the military's past support for the 1987 coup.

Speight's coup was not supported by the military hierarchy, but there were influential officers in the military -- 98 per cent of it made up of ethnic Fijians -- who were known to be sympathetic to the coup and gave covert support.

"The military in any country can play a very positive role in nation-building. But can also turn around and become very destructive and this is what we don't want to see in Fiji after the election results are known," said the congressman.

Fiji, he added, had suffered enough in 1987 and again in 2000. Another coup would be disastrous and must be avoided at all costs: "The Fiji military has an obligation to its people to keep law and order and not harm them because it has taken an oath to protect them.

"The military should play an important role and draw the line themselves rather then letting things out of control and then trying to start all over again."

The United States has terminated all financial and technical assistance to the Fijian military forces after last year's coup and, according to Faleomavaega, the US will suspend all assistance "until we are satisfied that the FMF is very committed and loyal to any new government that comes into power".

Indo-Asian News Service

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