Fijian Rebels Free 9 of Their 27 Hostages

Indigenous Fijian rebels freed nine of their 27 government captives today, moving Fiji closer to the end of a nearly two-month crisis. Other rebels seized a beach resort where “The Blue Lagoon” was filmed, later releasing its 40 guests.

The rebels who released the nine captives appeared to be trying to ease a crisis that began May 19 when they stormed Parliament and took several dozen hostages, including then-Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

Red Cross doctor Bhagat Ram said those freed were unharmed. They included all the ethnic Indian parliamentarians except for the deposed prime minister and his son. The other remaining hostages are all ethnic Fijian legislators.

The release came hours after an unrelated rebel group seized a posh resort on Turtle Island over what they said was a land dispute.

“We saw a crisis in Fiji and we’re thinking this is a good time,” rebel Mavi Ratulevu said.

The 40 guests, including 15 Americans, were later placed on a cruise ship heading to Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. The resort’s owner, American Richard Evanson, was still being held.

Turtle Island resort, where some cottages rent for $1,000 a night, was the site of the 1949 filming of “The Blue Lagoon” and parts of the 1980 remake starring Brooke Shields.

Those responsible for the takeover were believed to be from a tribe in the Yawawa islets off the northwest coast of Viti Levu. They have been involved for years in a dispute over who owns Turtle Island.

Today’s developments came three days after the rebels at Parliament, led by former businessman George Speight, signed an agreement with Fiji’s military government to end the crisis. Under the accord, Speight was supposed to release all his hostages Thursday.

The ethnic Fijian rebels say the nation’s large ethnic Indian minority has too much power.