Fiji chiefs put rebels on backfoot

A brief burst of automatic gunfire in the Parliament building rang out earlier today, signalling a new heightening of tension as special forces soldiers extended their siege into a fifth day.

Former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said at today8217;s meeting the nation8217;s chiefs had called for the coup leaders to release Chaudhry and the other hostages.

Coup leaders have admitted that Chaudhry has been beaten during the ordeal and the acting leader of his coalition government, Ratu Tevita Momoedonu, said he had suffered serious internal injuries.

However, Rabuka, who himself led two coups in 1987, said he doubted the ring leader, businessman George Speight, would bow to the Chiefs8217; demands.

Fiji8217;s neighbours turned up the pressure on the coup leaders today. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned the country would not accept any compromise which undermined Chaudhry8217;s elected government.

quot;The Australian Government is appalled at what has happened in Fiji,quot; he said in a major toughening of his stance.

Downer said, quot;We abhor this attempt to seize power in an undemocratic way,quot; he said, adding that Australia may withdraw diplomatic links and suspend its aid programme if Speight successfully overthrew the elected government.

Similar sentiments were aired by New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark who warned that quot;if power changes at the barrel of a gun, the Commonwealth for one will not stand for itquot;.

Rabuka said at the meeting the Chiefs declared their support for President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who presented them with a proposal to end the crisis.

Mara refused to reveal what he had tabled, but yesterday made it clear that if Chaudhry was released, he could not expect to return to his job.

quot;I cannot say that I will put back the government that caused this problem,quot; said the President.

The Council of Chiefs is a key institution for indigenous Fijians. While its role is theoretically advisory, council agreement is deemed crucial for most major political decisions in Fiji.

Speight, who has declared himself the interim Prime Minister, had been confident earlier today that the chiefs would back him.

He said he considered a rebuttal quot;such a remote possibility that it8217;s not worth worrying about.quot; Rabuka said the Great Council would convene again tomorrow to discuss the future of the Prime Ministership.

Shortly before Rabuka8217;s statement, truckloads of troops 8212; carrying troops for the first time since the crisis began on Friday 8212; were seen moving around the city.