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Fiji PM 'makes major concessions' Fiji PM 'makes major concessions'
(about 1 hour later)
Fiji's prime minister is to drop controversial legislation fiercely opposed by a military chief who has threatened to launch a coup. Fiji's prime minister is to suspend work on controversial legislation fiercely opposed by a military chief who has threatened to launch a coup.
PM Laisenia Qarase said his decision reflected the outcome of talks held in New Zealand with Frank Bainimarana.PM Laisenia Qarase said his decision reflected the outcome of talks held in New Zealand with Frank Bainimarana.
Mr Bainimarana's military carried out night-time exercises in the capital, Suva, on Wednesday, but Mr Qarase said fears of an imminent coup had eased.Mr Bainimarana's military carried out night-time exercises in the capital, Suva, on Wednesday, but Mr Qarase said fears of an imminent coup had eased.
Fiji has been tense for weeks amid a stand-off between the two men.Fiji has been tense for weeks amid a stand-off between the two men.
Military leaders have accused the government of corruption and lying and have threatened to overthrow Mr Qarase.Military leaders have accused the government of corruption and lying and have threatened to overthrow Mr Qarase.
Mr Bainimarana issued a series of "non-negotiable" demands ahead of the meeting in New Zealand.
ExercisesExercises
Mr Bainimarana has specifically objected to two pieces of legislation: one offering an amnesty to those involved in a coup six years ago, and another granting coastal land ownership to indigenous Fijians. Mr Bainimarana has specifically objected to three pieces of legislation: one offering an amnesty to those involved in a coup six years ago, one granting coastal land ownership to indigenous Fijians, and another offering compensation to land owners.
In a televised speech, Mr Qarase said he would submit the three pieces of legislation for constitutional review.
They would be dropped if the reviews found them to be in breach of the country's constitution, he said.
Mr Bainimarana opposed the racially-motivated coup in 2000, and was at one point forced to flee the country.Mr Bainimarana opposed the racially-motivated coup in 2000, and was at one point forced to flee the country.
Correspondents say Mr Qarase's decision to abandon the planned legislation is being seen as a major concession by the prime minister.Correspondents say Mr Qarase's decision to abandon the planned legislation is being seen as a major concession by the prime minister.
He described his decisions reflected the discussions held with Mr Bainimarana in New Zealand.
Mr Qarase also pledged not to seek to prosecute Mr Bainimarana, despite police suggesting that some of his comments in recent weeks may have been seditious, the Associated Press reported.Mr Qarase also pledged not to seek to prosecute Mr Bainimarana, despite police suggesting that some of his comments in recent weeks may have been seditious, the Associated Press reported.
Earlier, soldiers on exercise fired flares and secured areas of the city by setting up checkpoints.Earlier, soldiers on exercise fired flares and secured areas of the city by setting up checkpoints.
The military advised the general public to remain cautious when travelling into the centre of Suva, but urged them not to be alarmed by the exercise.The military advised the general public to remain cautious when travelling into the centre of Suva, but urged them not to be alarmed by the exercise.
Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the meeting of the two men was "helpful" but described the situation in Fiji as "worrying".Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the meeting of the two men was "helpful" but described the situation in Fiji as "worrying".
Australia sent three naval ships to Fiji earlier this month as a precaution in case its citizens needed evacuating in the event of a coup.Australia sent three naval ships to Fiji earlier this month as a precaution in case its citizens needed evacuating in the event of a coup.