29 MAY 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji's security forces tightened up on security
tonight as the capital, Suva, braced itself for an anticipated break-out of
violence by armed civilians who have been roaming the streets for the past
night and causing destruction.
The security measures were stepped tonight following the destruction last
night at 9.30pm of the Fiji's national television, Fiji Television, which
had been airing a programme that angered the armed men.
The "Close-Up" segment, a Sunday night special which focuses on leading
Fiji
people and the roles they play in the development of the nation, featured an
anti-coup guest by the name of Jone Dakuvula, an assistant in the Rabuka
government, who spoke out strongly against the coup and its plotters.
Shortly after the programme was aired live, the rebels burst into the
station on Gorrie Street and smashed monitors and equipment in the office
complex. A presenter and workers in the office at the time fled the scene as
the rebels vandalised the station.
A policeman guarding the station was shot and died later in hospital.
Another man, a security officer at the station reportedly died from a heart
attack in the heat of the rampage.
The tragedies are Fiji's first official coup-related deaths with two
soldiers still in hospital following another separate incident on Saturday
midday in which rebels opened fire at a check-point near the Parliament
House in Veiuto where the rebels are holding as hostages the Prime Minister
Mahendra Chaudhry and his government. Also hurt in the crossfire was a
British cameraman who was shot in the wrist as he filmed the incident. All
three were reported to be in a stable condition in the capital's Colonial
War Memorial Hospital in Suva.
Chaudhry and his government have now spent 10 days in captivity since the
armed civilians, led by self-styled coup leader, George Speight, stormed
into parliament mid-morning on Friday May 19 at the height of a
pro-indigenous and anti-Chaudhry protest march in the main street of Suva.
The city of Suva has virtually come to a standstill and with the 48-hour
curfew which lasts until the morning of Wednesday June 31 at 6am, there will
be minimum movement in and out of the capital. Special permits to allow
movement to and from essential work or services are being issued at various
police stations for those who require them.
Tonight the military forces were beefing up their numbers at key
check-points around the city in a bid to prevent further break-outs of
violence. The soldiers are armed. ...PNS (ENDS)
PACNEWS Special Bulletin 39 , 29th May 2000 Page 1
(c) Copyright PIBA 2000 Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association, Private Mail
Bag, GPO, Suva, Fiji
Islands Phone (679) 315 732, Fax (679) 315 379
E-mail pacnews@pacnews.org Web Site www.pacnews.org
29 MAY 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) -The Fiji Military Forces has taken executive
control of the country and declared Marshall Law in a dramatic twist of
events surrounding the hostage and political crisis which entered its 11th
day today (May 29).
The Commander of the army, Commodore Frank Bainimarama at a news conference
a few hours ago announced to the nation that the Fiji Military had taken
over the executive administration of the country from the President, Ratu
Sir Kamisese Mara.
It was not clear whether Ratu Sir Kamisese had resigned and allowed the army
to take control. However, a local radio station quoted the Army Commander as
saying that the President had resigned.
Commodore Bainimarama did not entertain any questions from the press after
the dramatic announcement.
The President, Ratu Sir Kamisese has been running the country under a State
of Emergency since May 19 when armed gunmen took Prime Minister Mahendra
Chaudhry, his ministers and other MPs hostage at the parliamentary complex.
Commodore Bainimarama said as part of the Marshall Law, a 24-hour curfew
(beginning at 6pm today) had been imposed throughout the country. This, he
said, would be reviewed at 6pm tomorrow (May 30).
He also said the movement of people and vehicles in and out of the
parliamentary complex would be restricted, and only essential needs would be
entertained.
The Commander also said all army reserves are to report to the Queen
Elizabeth Barracks in Suva to help implement the new measures....PNS (ENDS)
PACNEWS Special Bulletin 41, 29th May 2000 Page 1 (c) Copyright PIBA 2000
Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association, Private Mail Bag, GPO, Suva, Fiji
Islands Phone (679) 315 732, Fax (679) 315 379
E-mail pacnews@pacnews.org Web Site www.pacnews.org
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