Fiji's bloodless coup

News comes recently that Fiji's military has overthrown the duly-elected Prime Minister and installed Jona Baravilala Senilagakali, a military doctor and methodist preacher, in his place. The new minister was quoted as saying, "I work for the army. I'm obliged to do whatever my commander tells me to do." The actual Prime Minister has been flown back to his native island and is under house arrest.

Commander Frank Bainimarama is threatening to suppress any uprising. "Should we be pushed to use force, let me state that we will do so very quickly," he told reporters, adding that "Qarase and his cronies are not coming back." It's a shame, because Bainimarama is such a fun name.

So if you're like me, you're thinking first: "Why does Fiji have a military?" And then: "What's the point?". It's not like Fiji sits on immense stockpiles of wealth, and it doesn't seem to be embroiled in any major international rivalries.

It turns out that the commander -- get this -- is upset that the real Prime Minister wasn't aggressive enough in going after the architects of Fiji's 2000 coup -- a coup the commander helped put down. That would make Bananarama, yes, a hypocrite.

It's clear that the Bush Administration has a duty under the Bush Doctrine to move immediately to Restore Democracy and bring free elections to Fiji. Bush has made clear that, when it coincides with his personal whims, the United States must oppose tyranny wherever it exists. And I'd point out that Fiji would make a very pleasant and secure future location for the Bush Compound.