amg, page-5

re: amg they want your stock This theory is more plausible why the dumping.

RAN on standby for Fiji army crisis
Patrick Walters, National security editor
November 01, 2006
AUSTRALIAN warships were on standby last night to sail to Fiji after Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase yesterday sought the dismissal of the country's military commander while he was out of the country.
Commodore Frank Bainimarama - visiting troops in the Middle East - refused to step down after Mr Qarase called on President Josefa Iloilo to replace him with Lieutenant Colonel Meli Saubulinayau.

John Howard spoke by telephone with Mr Qarase yesterday and federal cabinet's national security committee discussed the crisis, including defence contingency plans should security in Fiji deteriorate.

Two Royal Australian Navy ships were put on standby last night to sail to Fiji to assist with any evacuation of Australians in the event of a coup.

Commodore Bainimarama is expected back in Suva later this week. The Fijian military recalled all its troops to camp yesterday, but an army spokesman said the move was to conduct routine exercises.

The pre-emptive action followed three weeks of rising tension between the Qarase Government and the military, after Commodore Bainimarama threatened to force its resignation unless it dropped two pieces of legislation, including an amnesty for some of the plotters of the 2000 coup.

Land Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti told the news site Fijilive.com yesterday that Lieutenant Colonel Saubulinayau had been called to the Ratu Iloilo's office and asked to take command of the military forces. But Lieutenant Colonel Saubulinayau reportedly declined the offer, saying he did not command the support of the army, which remains deeply split over moves to oust the Qarase Government. "Bainimarama is still the commander and will remain as the commander," Lieutenant Colonel Driti said.

Presidential secretary Rupeni Naceva late yesterday denied Ratu Iloilo had ordered Commodore Bainimarama to stand down. Mr Qarase also declined any comment on the deepening political standoff.

As fears of another military coup mounted, diplomatic posts in Suva were stockpiling petrol yesterday and preparing to send non essential staff and family members to the tourist centre of Nadi.

Earlier yesterday, Fiji military spokesman Neumi Leweni said it would be unwise to remove Commodore Bainimarama. "The appropriate thing to do would be to await his arrival whereby they can sit at the table, as leaders, and be able to discuss these issues and come to some solution," Captain Leweni said.


Lets Hope common sense prevails.