The hostage crisis that has paralyzed Fiji for the past two months was due to end July 13 under a settlement signed July 9 by Fiji’s military leader. The deal gave the rebels everything they wanted, essentially signing away Fiji’s representative government. Unrest continued despite the deal, with the latest trouble in Levuka on the island of Ovalau, where looting was believed to be a settling of old scores while security is in disarray. It’s uncertain how tourism will rebound after the hostages are released, but the economy will remain in a shambles because of likely sanctions by most of Fiji’s trading partners.
