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| Down Under |
| Australian Navy on standby for Fiji rescue |
| 2006-11-24 |
| DEFENCE Minister Brendan Nelson says three Australian naval vessels are in the southwest Pacific ready to take on board evacuees in the event of a violent coup in Fiji. Dr Nelson said today that naval vessels were ready to evacuate Australians who might become caught up in a coup in Fiji. HMAS Kanimbla had a number of soldiers, an evacuation team, a primary health care medical team and helicopters on board. It is supported by frigates, HMAS Newcastle and HMAS Success. "Those ships are available in case there is a coup and Australians need to be evacuated in perhaps a hostile environment,'' Dr Nelson said after a Melbourne business lunch. "Under no circumstances do we encourage or support a coup, but we want to make darn sure that we are ready to support Aussies if they need it in Fiji, to get out of Fiji, just in case the coup is anything other than peaceful.'' He said the Australian embassy in Fiji was in regular contact with Fijian military command to keep track of developments. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |