SUVA, Fiji (2 Dec 2006) -- The UK Foreign Office is advising travelers not to go to Fiji due to "ongoing political tensions" and the threat of another military coup. "We advise against all but essential travel to Fiji because of increasing tensions in the relationship between the government of Fiji and the republic of Fiji military forces," warned the UK Foreign Office. The travel advisory states that Fiji's military commander has issued a series of ultimatums demanding that the Government resign and that military action will be taken if all demands are not met by December 4, 2006. It warns travelers that "political tensions could lead to civil disorder" not just in Suva but throughout Fiji. That's exactly what happened in May 2000 after rebels led by ultranationalist George Speight stormed Fiji's parliament and took the Prime Minister and other elected political leaders hostage. Native Fijians looted and burned homes and businesses owned by Indo-Fijians, and attacked tourist resorts. As violence and civil unrest spread across the islands, tourism officials, resort owners and scuba diving operators colluded to cover up the true extent of the crisis with a series of "...coup? what coup?" press releases and feel-good tourist testimonials gushing about all the fun they were having despite the lawlessness and racist attacks. Despite the spin, tourist cancellations surged and Fiji's tourism industry collapsed. But even as hotels shut down, thousands of staff were layed off and business officials reported that Fiji's tourist industry was losing $1.3 million per day, the Fiji Visitors Bureau issued the following announcement: "Tourism remains unaffected by recent events." © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK | 
