Fiji Coup Leader Frees 10 Officials, Gains Support

Rebels holding Fiji’s elected government released 10 people today after the hostages signed documents backing an attempted coup leader, local radio reported.

“We had to sign the conditions. It was a condition of our release,” said John Ali, one of the government members released.

Fiji’s Radio 96 reported that 10 members of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry’s government--mostly indigenous Fijians--were released in two groups by the rebels, led by businessman George Speight. About 50 people were captured in Friday’s uprising, which Speight said was on behalf of indigenous Fijians against a government led by Fijians of Indian origin.

Chaudhry, who was not released, earlier collapsed inside the Parliament House complex. Local media reported that Chaudhry’s collapse was stress-related and that he later recovered and was resting.

Also today, two influential ethnic Fijian groups pledged their support for Speight’s band.

Ratu Tevita Bolobolo, leader of the Taukei movement of ethnic Fijians, read a statement that was endorsed by the main opposition group, the Fijian Political Party.

“We do not and we will never accept the reinstatement of the Chaudhry government,” Bolobolo said. “We hereby state that we fully support the abolition of the 1997 constitution and warn [Fijian President Ratu Sir Kamisese] Mara that any intervention by force will lead to all-out civil war.”

Speight said he had appointed a new president using executive powers assumed in the coup.

For months, tensions have been building between indigenous Fijians and the descendants of Indian migrants, who dominate commerce in this Pacific Ocean country 2,250 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia. Indians make up about 44% of Fiji’s population of 813,000; indigenous Fijians account for 51%.