Local Army Wary Of Australians

WITHIN hours of the Australian Army's helicopter crash, the Fijian military was citing it as proof of the need to defend the nation against a "foreign incursion".

Bribe Allegations Disrupt Trial Of Former Fiji Pm

IN A DRAMATIC second day of evidence in the trial of the former Fijian prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka, a man was arrested for allegedly trying to bribe an Australian prosecutor outside Suva's High Court and the state's key witness was accused of having an "entirely flawed" memory of key events.

Australia Dismisses Fijian Claims Of Arms-smuggling Police Mercenaries

AUSTRALIA yesterday confirmed it had sent extra defence force staff to Suva, but denied claims it had smuggled in a band of police officers with an undeclared haul of weapons to intervene in Fiji's escalating political crisis.

Foster To Face Fraud Charges

THE Australian conman Peter Foster was delivered into the hands of Fijian police yesterday immediately after being discharged from hospital in the capital, Suva.

Fijian Pm In Stand-off With Army Chief

FIJIAN Prime Minster Laisenia Qarase has dug in against threats by maverick military commander Frank Bainimarama and has called in traditional leaders to mediate.

Houston Asks Edgy Troops To Stand Easy

AUSTRALIAN Defence Force chief Angus Houston has urged his Fijian counterpart, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, not to carry out his threat to stage a coup.