SUVA, Fiji Islands (May 29, 2000 - USP Journalism Online/Pasifik Nius/Niuswire)---A
policeman wounded during a terror raid into the central business area
of Fiji's capital, Suva, died early today as lawlessness mounted, according
to local radio reports.
The 49-year-old constable was rushed to hospital last night after being shot
in unclear circumstances near Parliament as gunmen and a mob of rebel leader
George Speight's supporters left on an assault against the country's only television
station.
A security guard also died outside the Suva post office, reportedly from a
heart attack.
However, Radio Fiji quoted police spokesperson Inspector Sera Bernhard as saying
that a post mortem had yet to be carried out to find the cause of death of
the guard.
She said the dead constable, from the dog patrol unit, had been shot in his
car when turning from Ratu Sukuna Road into Domain Road, near the Parliament
complex.
He died at 12:44 this morning, about four hours after he had been wounded.
The Daily Post said today that about 200 men armed with stones and guns marched
into the downtown area past the Government Buildings.
"Singing Fijian songs and chanting war cries, the group terrorized staff
at Fiji Television, stoning their building and breaking the show glass,"
said the Post.
The television signals were cut during a legal drama series, "The Practice,"
and equipment was damaged.
But Fiji Television chief executive Ken Clark said his staff members were all
safe.
The station was reportedly targeted over the broadcast of a panel program,
"Close-Up," which featured media coverage of the hostage crisis.
Chaired by Fiji Television reporter Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, the panelists, political
commentator Jone Dakuvula and Communications Fiji Ltd managing director
William Parkinson, were critical of the rebels and their illegal regime.
The rebels still hold hostage elected Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and
more than 30 members of his government.
However, the President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, on Saturday used a constitutional
technicality to sack Chaudhry and his ministers in a bid for them to be set
free.
60 Minutes presenter Tukaha Mua was reportedly chased by the protesters to
Suva's Centra Hotel. A senior police officer also was reported to have run for
cover at the hotel.
An unnamed journalist said on Radio Fiji today that some of the rebels had
then driven to the hotel and fired shots in the air and threatened staff.
Rebel spokesman Ratu Timoci Silatolu blamed alleged "bias" of the
media for the violence.
Speaking on Radio Fiji, he said their followers were "disappointed"
about the reporting and "now they are taking it upon themselves to right
things and they
shouldn't be blamed for that."
The Daily Post said: "Army sources said last night the leaders of the
hostage takers have lost control of some of their gunmen."
In other violence over the weekend, a taxi driver was murdered inside his home
but it was not clear whether the killing was related to the political crisis.
Police reported sporadic looting and threats against both Indo-Fijians and Fijians
by Speight supporters.
Ratu Tevita Momoedonu today defended his role in the sacking of the Chaudhry
cabinet after other Labour MPs and senators condemned him for the lack of
consultation.
He told Radio Fiji the situation was so critical that there was no time for
lengthy consultation.
"I had the moral obligation to do what I did," he said.
This text may have been edited to protect the writer.
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