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New Zealand High Commission staff in Suva have been taken out of the Fijian capital to safety as concerns grow over the political situation in the South Pacific country.
The New Zealand Government last night upgraded the travel warning for Fiji amid fears of a coup driven by statements by Fijian Military commander Commodore Frank (Voreqe) Bainimarama, who is in New Zealand.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesman Brad Tattersfield said "prudent" steps had been taken to assure the safety of New Zealand High Commission staff, including moving some of them temporarily from Suva.
"The situation is being closely monitored."
Issuing a fresh warning to travellers considering going to Fiji, the ministry said: "There is high risk to your security in Suva and an increasing risk in Fiji."
The ministry said although the situation in Fiji was currently calm, underlying tensions could result in rapid deterioration.
"The New Zealand Government will continue to seek assurances from the Fiji military that the safety of New Zealanders will not be compromised, but we cannot guarantee safety if the situation deteriorates.
"New Zealanders in Fiji should seek to avoid being caught up in any violence, including by avoiding demonstrations and large gatherings."
Australia went one step further, telling its citizens they should consider leaving.
"The security situation could deteriorate without warning. If you are in the capital Suva and concerned for your safety, you should consider leaving," its foreign affairs advisory said.
The advice comes after the Fijian military strengthened talk of overthrowing the government, saying reservists had been recalled to prepare for a "clean-up" campaign.
Cdre Bainimarama told Fijilive.com that if Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase did not bow to the military's demands to drop all investigations into its officers then the army will act.
The hardening of the Fiji military's attitude came as the Director of Public Prosecution Josaia Naigulevu confirmed he had passed on to police legal opinion on one of the military files forwarded to his office.
"I will not confirm if (we recommended) a charge. It may not help in national security," he told Fijilive.com.
The seven files on the military forwarded to Naigulevu included one on whether sedition charges could be laid against Cdre Bainimarama.
"What's the big deal about this investigation?" Cdre Bainimarama said from New Zealand, where he is on a private visit.
"My intention of removing this government is clear. If they are going to prosecute me if my clean-up campaign fails then it is their concern."
More than 1000 territorial force personnel were recalled over the weekend.
Cdre Bainimarama told the reservists two weeks ago that the Fijian military "is encountering a difficult period and we need to clear the insecurity in the nation".
- NZPA
