LAST THURSDAY, 14 May, the newly elected government of Fiji was overthrown in a CIA-backed military coup. Despite reported concern by Buckingham Palance the Queen is still the constitutional 'head of state' in this former British colony — the ruling class in this country is hoping that the government of coup leader Lt Col Sitiveni Rabuka is able to survive. Machinations orchestrated by the Queen's representative in Fiji, the governor general, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, are aimed at protecting the gains of the coup against a background of a rising tide of opposition.
Mobilisations started northern part of Vita Levu, the largest of Fiji's 300 islands, Indians closed their shops and a strike disrupted the airport on Saturday 16 May to protest the coup. Shop and transport worker strikes were reported to be continuing on Monday 18 May. There is strong support for the ousted government, a coalition led by the Fiji Labour Party, which was elected into office on 11 This was the first time since gaining independence in 1970 that Fiji has had a new government. Labour Party president Timoci Bavadra was the newly-elected prime minister. In the following article 'Fiji elects non-racial government', from the Zealand paper, Socialist Action, JOAN PHILLIPS reports on the Fiji election. THE coalition won The defeat of Ratu seats in the rian Houst Mara has aroused concern of Representatives, com- among the imperialist ared to 24 held b former Located the Time nice Ratu Sir hub of the Pacific and the Kamisese Mara's Alliance most economically Partv. developed of the indepenThis election victory dent Island countries, Fiji marks a step Torwaro TOr • all Ill oul talll alca Fiji. It is the first time capitalist investment. since independence that ar Australia election has. astermined by Zealand, in particular, clusively economically dominate Fivoting along racial lines. jI. for example. As well. 1t opens up the the terms of trade with Fiji possibility of a series of democratic reforms in the Australia's favour country.
ZEALAND Zealand's favour.
The imperialist powers in the Pacific are especially worried about the government's declared in tention to ban visits to Fijian ports nuclear-armed and powered warships. Members of the ruling coalition have also joining Vanuatu as member of the Movement of Non-aligned Countries.
Media he news media in this country has portrayed the Party-National Federation Party coalition as a victory of Fijian Indians the largest population group. ing - over indigenous bijians, who are 46 per cent of the population. the jians racial lines.
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