LONDON -- There are rare occasions when a military takeover may be the least bad solution to a country's problems. Monday's military coup in Fiji may be one of them.
One year ago, Fijian citizens of every ethnic variety voted a multiracial coalition government into power. But on May 19, George Speight, a half-Fijian failed businessman, seized control of the national Parliament, took Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and most of his Cabinet hostage, and declared himself the new leader of Fiji.
Not only Chaudhry but also President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and the entire constitution would have to go before the hostages were released, said Speight. The country must have a new constitution in which only people with ethnic Fijian blood in their veins are eligible for the presidency, the prime ministership or any of the high offices of state.