21 MAY 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) ? Security forces in Fiji have advised journalists
gathered outside the Parliamentary complex to cover the hostage crisis, to move
their television and photographic equipment to a kilometre from the complex.
The message was relayed to the journalists just before 6pm today.
The journalists have also been advised that they cannot take photos of film
the parliamentary complex from a plane or helicopter.
All photographic and film equipment must be one kilometre away from the complex
where local businessman George Speight and his group or armed men are holding
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, his cabinet ministers and other MPs hostage
since Friday.
The decision to move the cameras came from President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara’s
Office.
There was drama outside and inside the parliamentary complex just minuets after
the announcement. An armed man inside Parliament called on all journalists to
come inside the complex after hearing about the ban on photographic cameras
and television cameras.
As the journalists rushed in the armed man fired two shots into the air and
ordered the journalists to lie on the ground. However, journalists were then
asked to fill in their names on a form and show their media passes to get in….PNS
(ENDS)
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