Fiji - it is still hope for the paradise!

Hopefully can travellers explore Fiji's many tropical islands soon again, but it is still a way to go for solving political issues.

Fiji's deposed prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, said two days after being released from captivity along with 17 other members of the parliament, that he demanded the reinstatement of his democratically elected government.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Chaudhry said the interim civilian administration due to be installed in the next few days, would be unlikely to have any elected members and would therefore lack credibility.

Members of the international community, including the USA, Australia and New Zealand, have themselves urged that Mr Chaudhry's government should be reinstated.

Mr Chaudhry, Fiji's first ethnic Indian prime minister, was overthrown in the armed coup led by failed businessman George Speight on the19th May. Fiji's military, which assumed power at the start of the hostage crisis, made last Sunday a deal with Mr Speight. Many of the rebel leader's demands, to give indigenous Fijian more power and reduce ethnic Indians rights, were met.

Fiji's new President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, is expected to appoint an interim government in the next few days. Several police stations remain occupied by rebel soldiers, and many tourist resorts are in the hands of groups claiming land rights. Supporters of the rebel leader continue to man roadblocks around the country and Fiji's only hydro-electric power station is still closed, also in the hands of coup sympathisers.

Traveller still have to take their precautions. Since the coup started travellers have been warned against travelling to Fiji. Tourists who already are in Fiji are recommended to stay indoors as the country waver on the verge of violent chaos. As troops have taken up positions on the streets and at key installations in Fiji, officials in many countries advised against any travel to the country's capital, Suva, and said any foreign traveller who was there should immediately contact the their embassy or consulate.

Travellers in places other than Suva should remain within their hotel complex or homes and maintain a high level of personal security awareness. They should obey any curfew that may be imposed at short notice and stay away from any large public gatherings and demonstrations. Foreigner travellers in Fiji should listen to the radio to find out about the development for further advice.

Hopefully it will be safe to travel to Fiji again. For once and for all I hope it will be possible to go there without fear for being involuntary involve in any political struggle!

Stein Morten Lund, 15 July 2000

Additional information

Read my report from the coups in Fiji in 1987: Part 1 and 2. How I had great fun between the two coups in Fiji in 1987 Fiji is what I will call "the good, bad and unfamiliar" group of islands in the pacific.

Fiji is claimed to be a paradise, but to explore a paradise isn't always easy, and there are some challenges (watch my photos too!)