The World - News from Oct. 2, 1987

Fiji’s coup leader, Col. Sitiveni Rabuka, declared himself head of state in the ethnically divided South Pacific island nation and said he has decided not to negotiate a compromise. Rabuka, who has staged two coups in Fiji in the last five months, said he had formally revoked the constitution but didn’t advise Governor General Penaia Ganilau because he no longer recognizes his position. In London, Queen Elizabeth said she still considers Ganilau to be the legitimate leader of Fiji, a Commonwealth member. Rabuka, 39, told a news conference that he will declare a new constitution enshrining the political supremacy of indigenous Fijians over the ethnic Indians who outnumber them.