Govt set to move people stranded in Fiji

Press, 21 May 1987, Page 1

Govt set to move people stranded in Fiji

By

PETER LUKE

in Wellington

The Government was last evening poised to mount an emergency military evacuation of New Zealanders from Fiji by sea or air.

The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, insisted, however, there was no immediate need to send the Armed Forces to Fiji. As the constitutional crisis in Fiji turned to violence yesterday, an urgent Cabinet meeting was held. High on the agenda was the safety of New Zealanders. Mr Lange announced after the meeting that the Armed Forces “remained at a high level of readiness.”

The frigate Canterbury — in Australia when the coup erupted — has been diverted to the

Fijian area to provide support if evacuation of the New Zealand High Commission becomes nececoarv The frigate Wellington has been in Suva Harbour since the week-end.

Mr Lange rejected any suggestion that the Government would attempt to impose a solution on the Fijian crisis. He emphasised that the sole reason for the military precautions was to ensure the safety of New Zealanders if the situation in Fiji worsened. Concern for safety had been expressed earlier yesterday

when he advised New Zealanders to postpone holidays in Fiji. “New Zealanders in Fiji on holiday would be sensible to advance their return to New Zealand,” he said. There are about 2000 New Zealanders working or living in Fiji, and up to 800 are there on holiday. Details of the exact disposition of New Zealand military forces have not been revealed.’ It is

believed two aircraft are on onehour standby, with another six on two-hour standby.

Yesterday’s moves continued the gradual escalation of military precautions since the Wellington sailed into Suva Harbour. On Monday the seven New Zealand soldiers on secondment to the Royal Fijian Military

Forces reverted to New Zealand command to help protect the High Commission. Mr Lange said then that there was .no immediate danger to New Zealand citizens in Fiji. Tuesday’s hijacking saw the Special Air Service and a Hercules aircraft placed on standby. They were not stood down after that drama ended.