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July 6, 2000
SUVA (AP) - Fiji's military on Wednesday stepped up the pressure on rebels holding 27 hostages in Parliament, declaring an exclusive military zone around the area and offering amnesty to anyone who leaves within two days. The roughly two-square-kilometer (1-square-mile) zone was to be off-limits to all but military personnel starting at midnight Wednesday (1200 GMT). Those who are still in the area 48 hours later will be subject to arrest. "This is not the first step toward a military option," Lt. Col. Filipo Tarakinikini told a news conference. "This is just a step to resolve the situation with a non-confrontational approach." However, former insurance executive George Speight, who led the May 19 coup that ousted an ethnic Indian-led government, has said he would see such military action as provocation that could spark violence toward the hostages. Tarakinikini said the military still was considering utility cutoffs to the Parliament compound, which Speight also has warned against. Food will be allowed in, but only a driver will have permission to carry it. Speight supporters who have been entering the area freely will be banned in an effort to isolate the hostage-takers. "The door to continuing negotiations remains open, and the military trusts that both parties can now focus on the safe release of the hostages," Tarakinikini said. The residence of U.S. Ambassador Osman Siddique is just outside the zone. He said he would decide Thursday whether to move out. "Technically, maybe I'm outside, but the question is practicality," he said. "The question is how safe it is. Grenade-launchers have a range of about 400 meters." 400 meters is equal to 440 yards. Tarakinikini said machine guns and two grenades were fired from the Parliament area during a clash Tuesday that left five rebels wounded, with two remaining in critical condition a day later, although their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. The situation was described as tense but calm Wednesday, with Tarakinikini saying efforts were being made to set up preliminary talks that would be the first between the two sides since a tentative agreement fell apart at the last minute last week. While Tarakinikini said the military still hoped for a peaceful conclusion to the crisis, he added that it was not willing to let Speight "dictate" its actions and that more drastic action has not been ruled out. "There might have to be a price to be paid, and we are willing to pay it," he said. The Australian government issued a travel advisory late Tuesday - similar to one the U.S. government made several weeks ago - for its citizens to leave the capital. "There remains a strong possibility of lawlessness throughout Suva, and there also remains the possibility of further civil disturbances affecting travelers," the advisory said. Schools were closed on Fiji's main two islands after the shootout. A mini-mutiny at an army base at Labasa, on the northern island of Vanua Levu, ended Wednesday, about 24 hours after it began when two or three soldiers confiscated arms and ammunition, but Tarakinikini said local chiefs were threatening disturbances in support of Speight. "Police have gone around and warned shops that they might have to be closed," he said. Speight had predicted Tuesday the mutiny would spark a "domino effect" across the country, but there were no signs of other trouble. Meanwhile, the new government, installed Tuesday by the military over Speight's objections, was settling in to face a massive task: how to stem the economic decline sparked by the May 19 coup. Most top tourist resorts have been hit hard, with some reporting occupancy rates of only 10 percent, and rebuilding confidence among foreigners will be a top priority. The decision by the military on Monday to appoint a new government comprised entirely of indigenous Fijians - who said the majority's rights would come first in drafting a new constitution - would appear to meet Speight's stated goals of trying to safeguard native rights. But he was angry that his choice to head the country was ignored and said he did not believe the new government would be around long. Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who assumed power 10 days after the coup, appointed the interim leaders. He has said he will retain power until the captives are freed. The army has given in to most of Speight's demands to disenfranchise Fiji's ethnic Indians, including firing Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry - the first Fijian of Indian ancestry to lead the country. Chaudhry is among the hostages. Indians were brought to Fiji over a century ago by English colonialists seeking indentured laborers for rich sugar cane fields. They make up about 44 percent of Fiji's population; indigenous Fijians account for about 51 percent. |