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Australian Broadcasting Co.
This Bulletin: Wed, 31 May 2000 11:04 AEST
Suva's streets erupt into ethnic violence

Ethnic attacks have erupted on the streets of Fiji's capital Suva.
Supporters of rebel leader George Speight have beaten some Indian
cab drivers and cars have been seized.

The ABC's Mark Willacy, who is in Fiji, says several Indian cab drivers
have been stopped in certain parts of the city.

He reports a couple was beaten, one was saved by a Fijian woman,
who herself was then confronted by Mr Speight's people.

Reporters have been told to pull back.

A mob has come out of the parliamentary compound and they have
already seized another couple of cars.

Things are very tense and journalists report they will be pulling back,
probably behind the Army which is about one kilometre down the
road.

Meanwhile, troops have been deployed in the centre of Suva
following a report that some 200 supporters of Mr Speight are heading
that way.

ABC reporters in Fiji say they do not know yet where they are, or if this
is confirmed, but the troops are getting ready.

At one of the checkpoints, probably about 25 troops are at the ready
with their guns.

Others have taken to a nearby park and spread out in that park
already.

 

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