Fiji Armed Forces

Authorities loosened curfew restrictions in Fiji's capital, Suva, as they continued to search for the last of a group of renegade soldiers who tried to take over the city's main military base Thursday. Spokesman Maj. Howard Politini said troops scouring areas around Suva found three rebels overnight, bringing to 15 the number captured after they escaped from the base following the uprising.

Authorities loosened curfew restrictions in Fiji's capital, Suva, as they continued to search for the last of a group of renegade soldiers who tried to take over the city's main military base Thursday. Spokesman Maj. Howard Politini said troops scouring areas around Suva found three rebels overnight, bringing to 15 the number captured after they escaped from the base following the uprising.

Fiji's military strongman, Lt. Col. Sitiveni Rabuka, said the army had reassumed control of the government of the South Pacific country, the Australian Associated Press reported. Under a plan announced Wednesday, Fiji's rival political parties were to have had equal representation in a caretaker government headed by Governor General Penaia Ganilau.

Defying hostage-takers, Fiji's military rulers said today that they would appoint a civilian government without consulting further with the gunmen. The indigenous Fijian rebels holding the government hostage since May 19 have demanded a presence in the interim government before releasing their prisoners, who include deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, an ethnic Indian.

An international delegation came away from meetings with Fiji's military rulers on Friday with assurances that the military will return the South Pacific nation to democracy in two years. But the promises again put the military at odds with rebel leader George Speight, who is holding 31 political hostages and demanding that Fiji adopt a racist constitution and install him in power.

Fiji's new government said Friday that it reduced the size of the armed forces almost by half and that soldiers no longer would patrol the streets, as they have since the Sept. 25 coup. The demobilization of 2,000 troops brings the size of Fiji's military to about 3,000 men. A statement by the army-controlled Ministry of Information gave no details. Coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka earlier pledged to reduce the size of the force by getting rid of reservists.

The head of Fiji's military seized power Monday night and established martial law, saying he needed to restore order to a country that seemed to be quickly sliding toward mob rule 10 days after its top government leaders were taken hostage. Commodore Frank Bainimarama acted one day after an armed gang went on a rampage through the deserted center of Suva, the usually bustling capital, killing an unarmed police officer and wrecking the headquarters of the national television station.

Defying hostage-takers, Fiji's military rulers said today that they would appoint a civilian government without consulting further with the gunmen. The indigenous Fijian rebels holding the government hostage since May 19 have demanded a presence in the interim government before releasing their prisoners, who include deposed Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, an ethnic Indian.

Army troops patrolled nearly deserted streets early today to prevent looting after ethnic clashes, while Fiji's governor general and the island nation's Great Council of Chiefs sought a way to end the governmental crisis in the wake of last week's military coup. More than 50 people were reported injured Wednesday when young Fijians attacked ethnic Indians at an outdoor prayer meeting in the first racial violence since the coup.

Military coup leader Sitivene Rabuka vowed Saturday to prevent Indians from ever assuming political power again in Fiji, and Indians shuttered their shops and gathered in crowds to protest the takeover. Lt. Col. Rabuka said earlier that he led the bloodless seizure on Thursday to stop fighting between ethnic Fijians and Indians after the April 11 election, which led for the first time to an Indian-dominated government.

An international delegation came away from meetings with Fiji's military rulers on Friday with assurances that the military will return the South Pacific nation to democracy in two years. But the promises again put the military at odds with rebel leader George Speight, who is holding 31 political hostages and demanding that Fiji adopt a racist constitution and install him in power.

The head of Fiji's military seized power Monday night and established martial law, saying he needed to restore order to a country that seemed to be quickly sliding toward mob rule 10 days after its top government leaders were taken hostage. Commodore Frank Bainimarama acted one day after an armed gang went on a rampage through the deserted center of Suva, the usually bustling capital, killing an unarmed police officer and wrecking the headquarters of the national television station.

Fiji's new government said Friday that it reduced the size of the armed forces almost by half and that soldiers no longer would patrol the streets, as they have since the Sept. 25 coup. The demobilization of 2,000 troops brings the size of Fiji's military to about 3,000 men. A statement by the army-controlled Ministry of Information gave no details. Coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka earlier pledged to reduce the size of the force by getting rid of reservists.

Fiji's military strongman, Lt. Col. Sitiveni Rabuka, said the army had reassumed control of the government of the South Pacific country, the Australian Associated Press reported. Under a plan announced Wednesday, Fiji's rival political parties were to have had equal representation in a caretaker government headed by Governor General Penaia Ganilau.

Soldiers sealed off Suva with roadblocks Friday and fired on Melanesian youths who rampaged through the streets of the capital, looting shops and setting fire to buildings. At least 13 people were arrested and 12 were injured when the troops opened fire. There was no immediate word on what started the rioting in this South Pacific island nation, which was the scene of a military coup last May that overthrew Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra.

Army troops patrolled nearly deserted streets early today to prevent looting after ethnic clashes, while Fiji's governor general and the island nation's Great Council of Chiefs sought a way to end the governmental crisis in the wake of last week's military coup. More than 50 people were reported injured Wednesday when young Fijians attacked ethnic Indians at an outdoor prayer meeting in the first racial violence since the coup.

All reserve soldiers were asked to report to the nearest barracks as soon as possible Sunday as the Fiji military, which staged a bloodless coup Thursday, prepared for escalating protests against the takeover. The government-owned radio broke into programs Sunday night to alert listeners for an important broadcast by the governor general and the officer who led the coup against the Indian-dominated government, but there was no broadcast and a government source said an "impasse" had arisen.

Soldiers sealed off Suva with roadblocks Friday and fired on Melanesian youths who rampaged through the streets of the capital, looting shops and setting fire to buildings. At least 13 people were arrested and 12 were injured when the troops opened fire. There was no immediate word on what started the rioting in this South Pacific island nation, which was the scene of a military coup last May that overthrew Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra.

All reserve soldiers were asked to report to the nearest barracks as soon as possible Sunday as the Fiji military, which staged a bloodless coup Thursday, prepared for escalating protests against the takeover. The government-owned radio broke into programs Sunday night to alert listeners for an important broadcast by the governor general and the officer who led the coup against the Indian-dominated government, but there was no broadcast and a government source said an "impasse" had arisen.

Military coup leader Sitivene Rabuka vowed Saturday to prevent Indians from ever assuming political power again in Fiji, and Indians shuttered their shops and gathered in crowds to protest the takeover. Lt. Col. Rabuka said earlier that he led the bloodless seizure on Thursday to stop fighting between ethnic Fijians and Indians after the April 11 election, which led for the first time to an Indian-dominated government.