The Natural Waters of Fiji Ltd in Yaqara, Ra, (on the main
island of Viti Levu) which bottles spring water, was taken over
by landowners last night.
Natural Waters is partly owned by American millionaire David
Gilmour, who also owns the exclusive Wakaya Club - an
upmarket island resort.He left the country last night.
Over the last couple of years, Natural Waters of Fiji has been a
big seller in the US market. The company won the Prime
Minister's Exporter of the Year Award for two years in a row.
The police and the military are at the factory for negotiations.
* The Rukuruku Resort in Ovalau was taken over by
landowners.There are no hostage situation.
* The Waidradra landowners in Naitasiri took control of the
Waidradra Breeding Station last night. Details are sketchy.
Another blow to the tourism industry as Qamea villagers from
Vanua Levu are reported to have taken over the Laucala Island
Resort this morning. Laucala Island belongs to the family of
former publishing billionaire Malcolm Forbes.
The men who took over the resort are now armed with rifles
seized from the hotel's security guards.
The hotel manager and his family have been taken hostage.
Meanwhile, there has been no breakthrough in talks between the
police and villagers who took over Turtle Island Resort on
Tuesday. Turtle Island's owner Richard Evanson and general
manager are held hostage by villagers from a neighbouring
island.
About 42 guests were evacuated to the mainland yesterday.
Meanwhile, Sabeto villagers have erected a roadblock on the
road between Nadi and Lautoka. The villagers took over the
checkpoint manned by police and armed soldiers.
Fiji's Daily Post
FEAR and uncertainty are rife in the previously friendly town of
Labasa. For many in north, this is probably the first time, they
are experiencing political unrest and the effects of the coup in
Suva.
Northerners have never been subjected to military checkpoints,
armed soldiers moving around and gun shots. Some residents
interviewed by the Daily Post said they had never imagined
encountering `political rebels'. They said the current political
situation in the country would not touch them because they were
simple, apolitical and friendly citizens of Fiji.
A shopowner said he was shocked at the happenings in Labasa.
"I don't want to think about what we are going through, here.
The recent takeover of the police station and the attempted
seizure of the Telecom building a few days ago has created fear
among the people and it's just too much for us simple people."
He said business in Labasa has been drastically affected.
As a result, many shop employees have been laid-off. "Shop
owners have no choice but to lay-off their staff because business
is just too slow." A market vendor said survival is a big struggle.
She has been selling vegetables at the market for the past 10
years and has never experienced drop in business as she is
experiencing now.
"It seems that people are no longer coming to town or perhaps
they are facing a major financial crisis," she said. "I could see
fear on the face of the children who came to school last week.
Not only children but also adults are afraid," said a school
teacher. The Chamber of Commerce said businessmen have
been the worst hit. Chamber president and former Senator
Shivlal Nagindas, said people are only investing in food. "We
can't blame them because of the situation, we are all in it."
Fiji's Daily Post
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