Australian PM warns Fiji 'coup culture' could spread

SYDNEY (AFP) – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Wednesday warned against the spread of a "coup culture" in the Pacific after Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama expelled Australian and New Zealand envoys.

Rudd, who is also the current chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, said the government would respond later to Bainimarama's removal of the diplomats over alleged interference in the judiciary.

But he said he wanted to see a return to democracy in the Pacific nation and would maintain a hardline approach against the regime.

"The Fijian regime, led by Commodore Bainimarama has conducted the military coup, he has violated the constitution, he has refused to hold elections, and he's suspended the judiciary," Rudd told ABC radio.

"And so therefore we have taken a deliberately hardline approach to this regime because we do not want this coup culture to spread elsewhere in the Pacific."

Rudd said Australia's response would be appropriate, adding that Bainimarama's constant deferral of elections was no reason to soften Canberra's approach.

"We belong to a family of democracies in the South Pacific," he said. "We, the Australian government, are engaged in active development programs with our partners in the South Pacific.

"We want to see stability in the South Pacific, and we're not about to simply allow a coup culture to spread. That's why we'll maintain a hard line in relation to this regime."

Australia and New Zealand have been at the forefront of the condemnation of Bainimarama since he toppled Fiji's elected government in a December 2006 coup. Canberra has imposed travel sanctions on Bainimarama and members of the regime and their families, while Fiji has also been suspended from the Commonwealth and Pacific Islands Forum.

Bainimarama told a New Zealand radio station there was not much more the international community can do against Fiji, although he stressed "the doors are open for dialogue" with Australia and New Zealand.

"We are suspended from the Commonwealth. Australia and New Zealand have suspended us from the (Pacific Islands) Forum," Bainimarama told Radio Tarana.

"So it really doesn't make any difference. But if we don't stand our ground -- we can't afford to be bullied."