DFAT upgrades Fiji travel advisory
DFTA upgraded its travel advisory for Suva on Thursday evening to “reconsider the need to travel” while maintaining the same level for Fiji overall at “high degree of caution”.
The Australian Federal Government has also confirmed that HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Newcastle are both on their way to Fiji to be ready to evacuate Australians, should a coup eventuate.
The full advisory can be seen at: – http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Fiji
The advisory advises avoidance of prominent Government buildings and the reconsideration of the need to travel to Suva and says that while the overall level of the advice has not changed, the level of advice for Suva has increased.
DFAT advises the exercising of a high degree of caution in Fiji due to increased tensions between the Fiji Government and the Fiji Military Forces and the possibility of military action against the Government, with the security situation potentially deteriorating without warning.
DFAT says that Australians should reconsider their need to travel to Suva at this time because of the uncertain security situation and the risk of military action, also advising that Australians should avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings as such events could become catalysts for civil disorder.
DFAT also says that Australians should also avoid prominent Government buildings, such as the National Parliament, as well as all military installations and concentrations of military personnel and also pay close attention to personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about possible new safety or security risk and to follow the instructions of security personnel.
Prime Minister John Howard and his New Zealand counterpart, Helen Clark, phoned Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase yesterday offering their support for his government and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned that the chances of a violent military takeover in Fiji were high, telling Parliament “We think there is a very real chance there will be a coup in Fiji.”
The Mole will keep the Australian and New Zealand travel and tourism industry up to speed as this scenario develops, hopefully to a peaceful conclusion.
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