Fiji TUC suspends national protest

Date: 22 May 2000

By Andrew Casey

However the TUC has warned that they will react to shutdown the whole country if the hostage takers win a 'compromise' in which they have an opportunity to run or control an arm of government.

The national executive of the Fiji TUC met at midday today to discuss the successful national strike against the hostage taking of the democratically elected government of Fiji.

The crisis still continues with reports of erratic behaviour by the terrorist leader George Speight who still hold the PM, Mahendra Chaudry, hostage along with other Ministers and MPs.

A key meeting is scheduled for tomorrow with the Great Council of Chiefs led by the President of Fiji. This traditional caucus is expected to bring extraordinary pressure on the hostage takers in Parliament.

The TUC has suspended its activity out of respect for the President and this important meeting which they expect will play a crucial role in resolving the nationals crisis.

The national union leadership continues to be deeply concerned and anxious about the increasing levels of lawlessness in the country and in particular in the Suva/Nausori areas.

The union movement have called for the police and the President to do all in their powers to restore law and order.

Shortly before 2pm Fiji time there were rumours that another march by extremist anti-democrats nationalists was about to descend on the national capital.

The Police Commissioner Isikia Savua has appealed to people not to join the march saying the effect on ordinary Fijians of last weeks demonstration had been devastating. He called for Fijians to stay home and not lighten to what he called " trouble-making elements ".

The union leadership has advised all union affiliates to ensure that the safety y of their members is the paramount issue at all times and that the advice given to unionists should be based on this premise.

The Secretary of the Fiji TUC said this afternoon that : " the support that the citizens of Fiji have shown today clearly demonstrates their support for the actions taken by the FTUC and by doing so they condemn the hostage taking by groups of terrorists and thugs.

" The FTUC continues its condemnation of the illegal takeover and has received pledges of support of its international counterparts.

" We will not tolerate any attempt by the terrorists and thugs involved in the hostage taking to run or control any arm of government.

" We warn them that the FTUC will respond in very strong terms and this will include an immediate national protest to shutdown the whole country.

" As part of this action the international pledges of support will immediately be invoked.

" We have also received pledges of support for a national protest by many NGO and community organisations. We thank them for their support today and call upon them to join us if the need arises again."

The Fiji TUC will review this decision on a constant basis.

" Finally we again reiterate our strong support to the President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and his efforts to restore the constitutional government in Fiji."

Solidarity messages should still be sent to Mr Felix Anthony at the TUC

Fax: (679) 300306

or

e-mail either

ftuc1@mail.is.com.fj

fsgwu@is.com.fj

For further information

Contact:	Andrew Casey
Union:	Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union
Phone:	9281 9511
Fax:	92821 4480
Email:	Andrewc@lhmu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.lhmu.org.au

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