The tourist posters used to proclaim, " Fiji, the way the world should be." After four military coups,sadly no more! I personally, and that's just me mind you, wouldn't take up an offer for a free holiday. Tourist numbers have declined in recent times. Some people have taken in the Cook Islands this southern summer. Perhaps they are now saying, Rarotonga, the way the world should be."

A news page headline today, Wednesday, February 28 2007 in the Dominion Post, New Zealand's capital city daily newspaper proclaimed the following:

FIJIAN MILITARY LINKED TO DEATHS, KIDNAP PLOT.

The Fijian military is facing new claims of thuggery after the death of a second person, allegedly at soldiers hands, while the nations former top policeman reveals he fled, fearing his family would be kidnapped.

Sakiusa Raba Ligaiviu, a 19 year old student,died from injuries allegedly suffered in a beating by soldiers in January of this year - during the fourth military coup in about nine years.

No, I definately won't be holidaying in Fiji in the foreseeable future. The coup leader, Self Defence Force leader and self imposed new prime minister, Commodore Bainimarama has claimed that the coup was to get rid of all the graft and corruption in Fiji since the elections of a new government within a few months of the coup. Yeah right! See you in Rarotonga!