SUVA, Fiji (3 Aug 2000) -- Fiji's reputation as a care-free tourist paradise has been ruined by images of apartheid, lawlessness and racist violence. Armed locals who want their lands back have attacked and seized at least four luxury tourist resorts and are still in control of Fiji's main hydroelectric power station. Rick West, manager of a private resort on Lakeba Island, said that the nation's tourist industry was not worth investing in. West and his wife were tied up for about 24 hours by machete wielding natives who want the island back. A similar incident occurred at the exclusive Turtle Island Resort where 43 tourists had to be evacuated after locals took the owner hostage. Despite efforts by tourist industry officials to downplay the lawlessness of locals and attacks on Indo-Fijians, tourists are staying away from Fiji. | | As lawlessness and racist violence spread across Fiji, dive operators chant: "Let's go diving!" "I can confirm there are no tourists at any of the resorts," said military spokesman Major Howard Politini. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
