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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_fiji.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Tue Jan 23 2007 03:18:42 GMT-0800.

FIJI

January 22, 2007

This Public Announcement is updated to reflect the current situation in Fiji following the December 5, 2006 military coup. The declared state of emergency remains in effect. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to the Republic of Fiji at this time and to defer all non-essential travel to Suva until the security situation is clarified. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on December 6, 2006, and expires on February 28, 2007.

On December 5, the Commander of Fiji’s military force deposed the lawfully elected government of Fiji and declared a state of emergency. The unelected interim government established by the military reiterated January 15 that a state of emergency remains in effect. Many basic rights have been curtailed, including the rights of assembly and freedom of expression. Individuals who speak out against the military are routinely questioned, detained and intimidated. While the situation in Fiji currently is calm, political and economic uncertainties continue and military checkpoints remain in place in and around major population centers, including Suva, Nadi and Lautoka. The Department recommends that private American citizens in Fiji evaluate their personal security. The security situation, especially in Suva, is uncertain and could deteriorate rapidly. Risks could include indiscriminate attacks on government or civilian targets particularly in the greater Suva area.

American citizens in Fiji should remain vigilant, particularly in public and military places in the greater Suva area, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds. Americans considering travel to Fiji despite this Public Announcement, as well as those residing or traveling in Fiji, are urged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The Embassy is located at 31 Loftus Street in Suva. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by phone at (679) 331-4466 and by e-mail at consularsuva@state.gov.

Updated information on travel and security in Fiji may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information please consult the Consular Information Sheet, the Public Announcement for Fiji, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.