Just how will the coup help the average Fijian - this is all about political power, money and corruption? Who are the shadowy figures behind the scene - the real corrupt ones?

Probably for the first time it wasn't really racially inspired with the intent of removing Indo- Fijians from power.The motive appears to be around a corrupt administration? Gun-power, money and corruption! Who are the shadowy figures behind the scenes?

The leader of the Fijian Defence Force, Commodore Bainimarama finally took over power at the point of a gun - after days of a "phoney war" - the takeover was actually delayed until after a rugby game between the Army and the Police. The farcical almost Disney- like situation became grim reality. Now comes the reality of the corruption, money and political power seekers!

The Prime Minister was deposed, put under house arrest and the administration was sacked and given a month's salary. Soldiers stormed the gate of the PM's house and demanded the keys to his official vehicles. He has fled to his home island by private plane, after refusing a ride home by boat from the military. Do you blame him?

Commodore Bainimarama has appointed a 77 year old Army doctor with no political experience as acting prime minister. The doctor has accepted the possibility of future actions because of their illegal actions, but he was quite philosophical about things and mentioned his age - 77 years. A new administration will be appointed soon.Then we will see the source of the corruption, the money- men and the political power seekers!

There is a defiant mood emanating from this bunch of rebels: New Zealand, probably Fiji's closest friend, has been told to mind their business; New Zealand, along with Britain and Australia have threatened withdrawal of all aid. All Fijian military, their families and sports teams (apart from the international IRB sanctioned New Zealand Sevens tournament in Wellington, early in 2007)have been banned! Some military personnel and their families have already been deported.The United Nations could dismiss the Fijian peacekeepers around the globe. This would have economic ramifications in the future for that country, because it is a significant proportion of their income. Just where will the money come from then? Indonesia, Taiwan or China?

As if to put the economic boot into Fiji, the owners of a privately owned Gold Mine in Fiji which employs 1,700 people, have announced the closure of the mine because it is no longer economically viable; and had nothing to do with the political situation in that country; actually I think it does have something to do with the existing corruption, the money-men and the political power seekers. The Commonwealth Secretary-General has stated that Fiji would be dismissed from membership of that body in the near future, unless the situation improved quickly.

It is,indeed, a sad day in paradise. The tourist promotion used to say: "Fiji, the way the world should be!" Yeah right! Now welcome to a classic example of a banana state? Gun-power, money and corruption!