TV1 6pm News Headlines (First Segment)

Fiji Crisis - Fiji Streets - Fiji Tourism – Doctor Charged

FIJI CRISIS. It is day four in Fiji’s political crisis. Negotiations have been continuing with former coup leader General Sitiveni Rambuka emerging as a power in the peace negotiation process. Mr Speight has said he would continue to hold the Prime Minister and Cabinet hostages and was waiting on the meeting between the native Fijian Council of Chiefs tomorrow. Meanwhile this evening there seems to be evidence that support for the hostage Prime Minister Mahendhra Choudhry is slipping with General Rambuka saying he may not continue his position if he is released.

FIJI STREETS: On the streets in Fiji the situation is tense with the army on full alert. Most of the rioting in shops has finished and Indian Fijians whose businesses were targeted in the looting are picking up the pieces. A nationwide strike against the coup attempt has been called and most of the shops in Suva are closed.

FIJI TOURISM: Meanwhile a survey of tour operators at home has found that less than 20 percent of New Zealanders have canceled their holidays to Fiji. This is in spite of a Foreign Affairs directive not to travel to the country unless absolutely necessary. Tourist operators say those on the resorts are hardly aware of any military action occurring.

DOCTOR CHARGED: Dr Morgan Fahey prominent doctor and a former deputy mayor pleaded guilty to thirteen charges of indecency in a court today. Rape crisis has said the trial vindicates the efforts of women who decide to make their abuse public. Allegations about Dr Fahey’s conduct surfaced in the mid-1970s and Mr Fahey continuously denied them.

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