New Zealand Diplomats evacuated from Fiji after threats
It appears that a mysterious threat directed at New Zealanders brought about the very sudden evacuation of diplomats from Fiji’s capital, Suva yesterday.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, revealed the threat yesterday and confirmed that he expected a coup in Fiji within the next fortnight.
Mr Downer said that the threat was specifically against New Zealanders, not Australians.
Fijian soldiers in full battle dress were patrolling Suva yesterday after 3000 reservists were called up at the weekend.
Fiji military head Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, who arrived in New Zealand last week to visit family, has warned he would “clean up” the Fiji Government by December 4. He is expected to return home today and NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters met him on Saturday and yesterday but would not comment on what was said.
It is understood the commander’s comments on Saturday were sufficiently alarming for the Foreign Affairs Ministry to upgrade its warning to tourists and to move staff and dependants out of Suva to an undisclosed location.
As reported by TravelMole today unconfirmed but well informed information received by The Mole say that Commodore Bainimarama may be arrested in New Zealand today on charges of sedition and that this could be the spark for the coup taking place in Fiji today, in addition to the reason that New Zealanders have been specifically threatened.
NZ Ministry spokesman Brad Tattersfield would not comment on the threat to New Zealanders, saying “We have moved our staff in response to security concerns.”
Contingency plans have also been prepared to help evacuate New Zealanders living or holidaying in Fiji if they cannot fly out on commercial airlines with as many as 7000 New Zealanders in Fiji.
Foreign ministers from the 16-nation Pacific Forum will hold an emergency meeting on Friday over the Fiji crisis and Mr Peters will attend the meeting in Sydney.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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