tion. JON SILBERMAN developments.
The Queen's representative in Fiji has put his full weight behind the destruction of the democratically elected government of Timoci Bavadra. He has sworn coup leader lieutenant-colonel Sitiveni Kabuka as premier, backed proposed changes to the ed that fresh elections will be held following the constitutional changes backed the repression meted out against the new mobilisations.
This is the real meaning of his struggle to resolve' the crisis' that the press told us was so upsetting Her Majesty.
By marching into Fiji's parliament with 20 soldiers placing the newly elected government under anest, coup leader Kabuka had apparently snubbed the Oueen's authoritv. she still nominally head of state or the islands which gained dependence in 1970. Monarch The thereby created 'constitutional crisis', which general Ratu (chief) Penaia Ganilau had no dif ficulty in sorting out.
By asking to be sworn in bv Ganilau. Rabuka recog. nised the authority of the distant British monarchy.
Ganilau then gave his support to the council 0. monsters convened Rabuka and supported by a l cle great council of the islands' Melanesian chiefs.
His endorsement of Rabuka's proposa 'amend' the constitution, and announcement of tresh elections thereafter was than the Queen's representative using the authority of British ruling power 'legalise' the coup.
ouch macuuduous were A MAJOR wave of mobilisations is reported to be taking place in Fiji. Mill workers and shop keepers have gone on strike. Cane cutters have set fields ablaze The new government has been unable to stabilise the situareports on recent mace necessary by the mounting opposition to the COLD. Shop keepers, WULACES others went on strike and mobilised their thousands Timoci Bavadra refused to particpate the government' The media has attempted portray these communal conflict between the indigenous Melanesian population supporting the coup and the country's consulunonally landless Inalan population• - descendants or people wrenched by the British from the Indian suband broughl lo work on plantations. ports This also explains the actions of the governorgeneral. Ganilau is a key figure in Fijian politics. He one of the island's high chels. Uwner or a trucking firm govermentsponsoreu pine plantalion. Ganilau was involved in stitution in 1965.
Educated Oxford, Ganilau has been a loyal servant British imDcllalsul and was awarded