Fijians have discovered that the contagion of ethnic strife, once unleashed, retains its virulence. A mutiny by elite soldiers last week has raised fears that stability will not return soon to the South Pacific nation. The uprising was quickly put down, but the damage has been done. A cloud of uncertainty hovers over Fiji.

The country is still reeling from the failed May 19 coup attempt. Then, ethnic Fijians, enjoying support from factions within the military, overthrew the government, which was headed by an Indian prime minister. The plotters claimed they were acting to protect indigenous rights; the fact that the leader, Mr. George Speight, faced corruption charges at the time of the coup casts some doubt over his motives.

Mr. Speight and some of his supporters were arrested after two months of drama. Questions have lingered, however, over who was really behind the coup attempt. Finding answers has taken on a new urgency in the aftermath of a mutiny at the country's military headquarters on Thursday.