Old Fiji capital burns

SUVA, JULY 10. Fiji's old capital, Levuka, was set alight today as the country slipped into increasing lawlessness following the signing of an accord between the coup leaders and martial law authorities yesterday.

The State-owned Fiji Broadcasting Commission (FBC) said 30 men attacked Levuka at 4.30 p.m., GMT, setting fire to the Freemasons Hall before moving to the town. Though the radio said rioters were proclaiming their support for Mr. Speight, the fact that a major European Union-funded cannery, PAFCO, was given a temporary licence to unload fishing boats in the town seemed to be partly responsible for the attack.

A martial law spokesman said the situation stabilized later in the day. And the PAFCO general manager, Mr. Mitieli Baleivanualala, who was reportedly taken hostage in the morning.

- Reuters

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