Police foil Fiji ‘coup attempt’

Press, 23 January 1988, Page 1

Police foil Fiji ‘coup attempt’

Ry

JAMES SHRIMPTON

N2F-A-AAP Suva

Three men armed with a stolen war club and spear failed yesterday in what they said was an attempt to pull off Fiji’s third coup.

The trio, identified as members of the militant Taukei movement, invaded Radio Fiji’s offices and demanded air time to announce that they and their supporters were taking over the country. But the radio station’s staff telephoned police who rushed to the scene and arrested the three, together with a fourth man waiting outside the building. The four were being questioned at Suva’s Central Police Station last evening. "It was hardly a coup — more of a storm in a teacup,” one police officer said. Security force sources said the four had been among a band of about 30 Taukei who had apparently plotted to kidnap President Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau and replace him with Fiji’s highest-

ranking chief, the former Gover-nor-General, Ratu Sir George Cakobau.

The plotters claimed to have the backing of the Fijian Great Council of Chiefs and their plan bore the codename Operation Iron Eagle. Police said several men smashed a showcase in the Fiji Museum early yesterday afternoon and stole a traditional war club and spear. About 4 p.m. (5 p.m. N.Z. time), three men walked into Radio Fiji’s headquarters near the Government buildings, carrying the club and spear. They met the station’s Fijian broadcast organiser, Mr Urupeni Senibulu and demanded to go on air live to announce that they and their supporters were about to take over the country. Mr Senibulu stalled them saying they could not broadcast live but could record a message Meanwhile, another staff member called the police. Torture claims, page 10