Fiji tries to reassure tourists

The Fijian Government is reassuring New Zealanders the country is safe after hundreds of holidaymakers cancelled or postponed their travel plans following reports of an imminent coup.

Last week, One News claimed the local military was threatening to overthrow the government if it passed controversial legislation that could result in those involved in the 2000 coup in Fiji being granted an amnesty.

The report also alleged that a Fijian man, Vililkesa Raqio, was forming a private army to protect the government, with support from Israeli security contacts.

As a result, travel agents reported 300 postponements and cancellations from Kiwi holidaymakers planning to travel to Fiji.

But the Fijian government last week denied the allegations, which they said could damage the country's tourist industry.

Bill Gavoka, chief executive of the Fiji Visitors' Bureau, said he had been assured by Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase that everything was under control.

Mr Raqio had gone on Fijian television to apologise to the Government for creating all the fuss, Mr Gavoka said.

Claims that he has Israeli connections were dubious, Mr Gavoka said, and "for someone who claims to have been trained by the Israeli Secret Service, he goes about it in very strange ways, such as holding media briefings, for instance".

Lynda Cairns, spokeswoman for New Zealand travel agency chain House of Travel said they had been in close contact with the Fijian government and had every confidence that it was a safe destination.

"We would never send people where it wasn't safe to go."

No travel advisory has been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about Fiji, she said.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY