Another Confrontation Likely

Issue No: 169; 3 November 2000

Soldiers loyal to the Commander have reportedly surrounded the gullies separating the army barracks and the Namadi Heights residential area.

Information is sketchy, but it is believed that the military believes that some of the rebel soldiers are hiding in these gullies. Some have reportedly fled to Lami.

It is also understood that the rebels, who had taken over the armoury, managed to take a lot of arms out of the barracks. Together with the weapons still held by the terrorists, the rebel group may be planning to regroup with the terrorists in the Naitasiri and Tailevu areas.

Meanwhile the military has sent another navy patrol boat to bolster security at the Nukulau Island makeshift prison where terrorist George Speight and his band have been held. Included in the detainees is the head of the CRW unit, Ilisoni Liqairi, who led the military operation to takeover the Parliament Complex on 19 May.

Troops in the Western and Northern areas of Fiji have been put on high alert.

End, 3 November 2000

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