Fiji

Date: September 18th, 2001 |

The recent election of a new government, which had promised to help mend the ethnic rift that led to the overthrow of the previous government in a coup last year, has produced more dissention among ethnic Indians and native Fijians. The new prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, defied the constitution by naming no ethnic Indians to [read more]

Fiji

Date: August 1st, 2001 |

No Comments

An attempted coup that lacks the support of the military provoked a hostage crisis and riots in the capital city of Suva May 19. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed. At the heart of the crisis is indigenous Fijian discontent with the growing influence of Fijians of Indian descent. The prime minister, an ethnic Indian, was [read more]

Fiji

Date: July 31st, 2001 |

No Comments

The national state of emergency that was prompted by the May 2000 seizure of parliament by George Speight remains in place, but the current situation in Fiji is calm. Parliamentary elections, however, will take place Aug. 25 through Sept. 1, and the trial of George Speight will continue at the same time. Significant unrest has [read more]

Fiji

Date: July 30th, 2001 |

No Comments

The hostage crisis ended July 13 but Fiji’s troubles are certainly not over. Coup leader George Speight, who was granted all of his demands in return for releasing all hostages unharmed, evidently believed he was untouchable because he threatened murder when his choice for president in the new government was passed over in favor of [read more]

Fiji

Date: July 19th, 2001 |

No Comments

The coup and hostage crisis that paralyzed Fiji in May and June is still causing trouble here. A military mutiny occurred Nov. 2 when renegade soldiers shot up their barracks and fled. Eleven people were killed and a 24-hour curfew was imposed in Suva before the rebels were brought under control. Consider deferring travel to [read more]

Fiji

Date: August 21st, 2001 |

No Comments

The outcome of general elections that begin Aug. 25 could present a crisis for Fiji. If former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry wins, the country would have to face the same issues that arose in May 2000 when failed businessman George Speight stormed parliament, took officials hostage and forced the overthrow of the freely elected government [read more]

Fiji

Date: July 31st, 2001 |

No Comments

A month after a coup attempt and hostage taking led by an indigenous Fijian businessman, the crisis remains unresolved. Martial law is in place and an overnight curfew is in effect on the eastern side of Viti Levu, the main island. The crisis has brought tourism to a standstill, but the only flashpoint is the [read more]

Fiji

Date: July 30th, 2001 |

No Comments

The hostage crisis that has paralyzed Fiji for the past two months was due to end July 13 under a settlement signed July 9 by Fiji’s military leader. The deal gave the rebels everything they wanted, essentially signing away Fiji’s representative government. Unrest continued despite the deal, with the latest trouble in Levuka on the [read more]

Fiji

Date: July 24th, 2001 |

No Comments

A home-made bomb planted at a Suva hotel frequented by travelers was disarmed Sept. 15, not far from the complex where the trial of George Speight, leader of the May 19 seizure of Parliament, is being held. The unrest that accompanied the hostage crisis has largely passed, but occasional incidents still occur and a curfew [read more]

Fiji

Date: May 30th, 2001 |

No Comments

The interim government that came to power in the aftermath of last May’s ethnic coup was declared invalid by the high court, throwing the country’s political future into uncertainty. Further, a former deputy prime minister was taken in for questioning because he had called a meeting of former members of parliament to discuss the ruling. [read more]

Travel the World

More WTW

Monthly Archives