Shooting near Fiji TUC HQ

Date: 28 May 2000

Conflicting reports are coming out of Fiji tonight as to whether the Trades Union Congress offices were the target of a group of gunmen loyal to coup leader George Speight.

Felix Anthony, Secretary of the Fiji TUC rang an Australian union official tonight warning that this might be his last contact for a while because a new round of violence could see all telecommunications between Australia and Fiji cut off.

Gun shots have been heard around Suva city tonight as gunmen from George Speight's group broke out of the parliamentary complex and rampaged through the city.

More than 150 armed youths, with guns and knives, have taken over Fiji TV.

Shots were fired and equipment must have been damaged as Fiji One has gone off air on its normal channel. Pay TV channels have also gone off air, but Fiji One is available on one pay channel.

The armed men then progressed towards the Fiji Trades Union Congress headquarters, according to a Fijilive reporter who is following them.

The TUC building is just a short walk from the Fiji TV offices.

Some sources say shots were fired at the TUC building, other sources say they went past the building without attacking it.

Earlier four shots were fired at the back entrance of the President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara's house.

The attack seems very well planned as police at Suva's Central Police Station say they are in disarray as the station has plunged into darkness, with someone sabotaging the power source.

It is not clear who or what their other targets are but sources say they may be.

Meanwhile, in Australia, the Movement for Democracy and Human Rights in Fiji has organised a protest march in Canberra to denounce coup leader George Speight's illegal takeover of Parliament 10 days ago.
The march will be held this Wednesday on 31st May from the old Parliament House to the new one, where the marchers will be met by government and opposition MPs.

Busloads of former Fijian residents will be taken from Sydney and Melbourne to take part in the Canberra protests.

Former Fiji residents in northern California are also preparing to present a petition to the US Congress. In addition, a number of prayer ceremonies are planned for a peaceful return to democracy.

Canberra demonstration info:
Contact Bob Singh, National Union of Workers, (w) 9682 4622 or (h) 9686 3479 or ( mob) 0419 405 767

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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