17 Nov 2006

An opinion poll in Fiji finds country racially polarised over govt/military impasse

8:48 am on 17 November 2006

An opinion poll in Fiji shows the country further divided along racial lines over the prolonged standoff between the military and the government.

The Fiji Times-Tebbutt poll of over 1,000 people shows that 45% of those surveyed support the government while 36% support the military.

But the poll shows that 67% of indigenous Fijians back the prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, while 54% of ethnic Indians support the military commander, Commodore Bainimarama.

Only 18% of indigenous Fijians support the military while only 24% of ethnic Indians support the government.

People of other races living in Fiji tend to support the government although the split is not so well defined.

There is more support for the military in Suva rather than elsewhere in the country with its backing running at 42%.