30 MAY 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) - Fiji's 11-day old political crisis lurched into a new direction today as military leaders strategised at their headquarters to find a way out of a politically sensitive situation which involves asking the armed civilians to lay down their arms and release the government of Mahendra Chaudhry. Chaudhry and members of his Labour Coalition partners were taken hostage at gunpoint at Fiji's Parliament House on Friday May 19 by self-styled leader George Speight and his armed rebels in protest against the government's insensitivity to indigenous rights. The military was expected to come back to the armed civilians at Parliament House this afternoon for a meeting to let the coup leaders know of their decision regarding the choice of people who are to run the country under the military.
By late this afternoon, a crowd of coup supporters had built up at the Parliament complex with no sight of the military representatives. The only development of the day was the issuing of a decree by the military, revoking the Fiji 1997 Constitution. The decree effectively gives army leader, Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, the executive role of running the country. Commodore Frank, a former naval commander, was made army chief of the Fiji Military Forces (FMF) shortly after the Fiji elections last year following the resignation of former FMF commander, Ratu Epeli Ganilau. Ganilau is the son of the late president Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau and a son-in-law of outgoing president, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Mara stepped down last night (May 30) in what appears to be an 11th hour bid to ensure that the hostages are safe following the recent killing of a policeman at gunpoint at Fiji's national television station, Fiji Television on Sunday night.
It was still uncertain late today whether the decree is within the boundaries of the 1997 Constitution. Attempts to ascertain that clarity of that issue with government legal advisors were unsuccessful. ... PNS (ENDS)
30 MAY 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) - Australia is calling on all of its citizens in Fiji to make arrangements to relocate to safer areas of the country or flying out of Fiji altogether during this time of political turmoil. An alert put out by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade this week said that Australian nationals in Fiji should "maintain a very high level of personal security awareness and monitor developments that might affect their safety."
The department has advised its people to stay clear of demonstrations and public gatherings. The department warned that Australians in Fiji needed to be aware that flights out of the country could be disrupted in emergencies, particularly with the intention of international trade unions not to handle Fiji flights as a sign of protest against the overthrowing of Chaudhry's democratically elected government.
Fiji's political crisis enters its 11th day today after self-styled coup leader George Speight took Chaudhry and members of his government as hostages at gunpoint on Friday May 19 at the nation's Parliament House. ... PNS(ENDS)
30 MAY 2000 SUVA (Pacnews) -- Four Pacific Island countries have moved to recall their nationals studying at various educational institutions in Fiji. At the weekend, over 200 Kiribati students were evacuated from Suva to the Kiribati capital, Tarawa. A spokesman, Nauto Tekaiara from the Ministry of Education said the I-Kiribati students from various institutions in Fiji were recalled after last week's Cabinet decision to repatriate all students and Kiribati passport holders from Fiji. The Kiribati Government chartered two Air Pacific's Boeing 737-400 flights from Nadi to Tarawa.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Education, Teken Tokataake said the students would remain with their families and guardians in Tarawa, until the political crisis is resolved. The Tongan Government is also expected to make an announcement soon on the fate of Tongan students studying at various institutions in Fiji. Director of Education, Paula Bloomfield says the Ministry of Education and cabinet are working together on the matter, and he expects a decision to be made today.
Deputy Director of Education, Viliami Takau and scholarship officer, Tu'ifua Petelo are in Suva, to meet with students and to check on their situation. About 100 Tongan students are studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Fiji School of Medicine (FSM), Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) and other privately owned institutions.
Due to the continuing uncertainties in Suva, the Niue Government in co-operation with the New Zealand Government has ordered the evacuation of the 21 Niuean students currently studying in Fiji. The New Zealand High Commissioner's Office in Suva has advised to facilitate all travel arrangements. In the Solomon Islands, students studying in Fiji have started arriving in Honiara. USP Solomon Islands Centre Director, Julian Treadaway, said the first group of 23 students have arrived and another lot of students are expected today....PNS (ENDS)
PACNEWS Special Edition 30 May 2000 Page 2 (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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