The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Fiji because
of continued uncertainty and instability resulting from the
ongoing political crisis. Unrest has spread to areas beyond Suva in recent weeks
and has resulted in serious disruptions.
A brief fire-fight between soldiers and gunmen near parliament in Suva on July
4 resulted in one gunman killed and five wounded. The
regional airport in Labasa, on Vanua Levu Island, was temporarily closed by
protesters on July 6. Rebels have seized police stations and
military bases at Labasa, Savusavu, and Korovou. On July 10, arson and unrest
broke out in Levuka, on the island of Ovalau. Roadblocks
have been erected by civilian supporters of the hostage takers along Queen's
Road west of Suva and along King's Road north of Suva.
Rebel sympathizers have seized the country's main hydroelectric plant in the
central mountains of Viti Levu island. More than a dozen
vehicles have been hijacked near Korovou, 25 miles north of Suva. Such disturbances
could occur elsewhere with no advanced notice.
The military declared nation-wide martial law on May 29 and imposed a curfew
from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. This curfew currently applies to the
eastern side of Viti Levu, the main island.
The current unrest and civil disruptions described above have been precipitated
by the events of May 19 when armed gunmen seized
control of Fiji's parliament building in Suva and took the Prime Minister and
other parliamentarians hostage.
In addition, international flights and passenger connections may be disrupted
by labor union action in Fiji. International flights out of
Nadi Airport have been slightly disrupted, and schedules have been scaled back.
International service to and from Nausori Airport near
Suva is being diverted to Nadi or cancelled. Travelers are strongly advised
to contact airlines for specific details.
The Department of State has authorized the departure of U.S. Embassy personnel
in non-emergency positions and the family members of
Embassy personnel. U.S. citizens in Fiji should review their own personal security
and consider departing the country.
The U.S. Embassy has temporarily curtailed public services during normal operating
hours. American citizens in Fiji with emergencies or
requiring updated security information may contact the Embassy at telephone
(679) 314-466.
U.S. citizens in Fiji are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy if they have
not already done so. U.S. citizens who decide to remain in
Fiji should exercise a high level of caution, avoid demonstrations or public
meetings, and monitor closely the local radio for breaking
developments.
For further general information on travel to Fiji, please consult the Department
of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Fiji,
available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.
This replaces the Travel Warning of June 28, 2000 to provide updated information
on the security situation in Fiji.
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last revision July 13, 2000