Australia and New Zealand not happy with election of Tu‘ivakano: Akilisi Pohiva

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THE leader of the Friendly Islands Democratic Party, Akilisi Pohiva says that governments of Australia and New Zealand are “not happy” with Parliament’s election of Lord Tu‘ivakano as Prime Minister.

He said, “Since the previous regime has not been accountable and transparent to Australia and New Zealand with the aid they’ve given us, they don’t see any real change with this election of a noble as Prime Minister.”

“The core issue is accountability and transparency,” said Pohiva.

“They hate it,” Pohiva said, and that “Australia and New Zealand are sick of dealing like that with Tonga.”

“They looked forward to a real change in government, which it seems has not been realised,” he said.

Lord Prime Minister works hard to form a people’s Cabinet

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THE Kingdom of Tonga's first Prime Minister nominated by a majority popular elected Parliament, Lord Tu‘ivakano, is trying tirelessly to form his new Cabinet, comprising of a majority of people’s representatives.

Long time MP ‘Isileli Pulu, is said to have agreed the take up the “Minister for Revenue” portfolio in Tu‘ivakano’s Cabinet. He is one of the leading names in 'Akilisi Pohiva’s Friendly Island Democratic Party,

Lord Fakafanua broke the news today following further meetings between the PM and MPs. He has been the spokesman for the alliance of free MPs (which includes the Nobles) during the campaign for the nomination for the Prime Minister.

NZ High Commissioner cable: King’s meddling with funerals “might bring about his own overthrow”

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REAMS of sensitive US diplomatic materials have been blown wide open by Wikileaks, revealing the inner workings of US foreign policy, and how the US works to advance its own interests globally. Similarly, as far back as 2003, a leaked cable sent by a retiring New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Brian Smythe, to then Foreign Minister Phil Goff, was published by the New Zealand Herald.

The cable gives remarkable insight in to how New Zealand views the Kingdom of Tonga, as well as New Zealand’s objectives for the country. 

It reports that the democracy movement in Tonga wanted to be “crushed” by the King, Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV, which they hoped would allow for New Zealand intervention.However, New Zealand must not to be “seen” to be interfering.

FIDP calls for consensus cabinet

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THE Friendly Islands Democratic Party (FIDP) has called for a consensus type of Parliament in the Kingdom of Tonga, as parliament members prepare to vote for a Prime Minister.

Members are lobbying for proposals for a Prime Minister, after the country's historic election last month which saw FIDP rack up to 12 of the 17 popular elected seats in Parliament, with only 31% of the votes. One FIDP MP has broken off from the party, bringing down their seats to eleven, while the major titled traditional families or the Hou'eiki" hold another nine seats, bringing the total seats in parliament to 26.

Proposals for Prime Minister are being submitted to the Interim Speaker of Parliament, Lord Tupou. The vote will be held next Monday.

Cabinet is another check that mustn’t always agree: Vaipulu

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VAVA ‘U popular elected MP Samiu Vaipulu reminded members of the House of the Kingdom of Tongthat Cabinet should not always agree with Parliament and with each other, as a checking mechanism defending the Constitution.

“If the Parliament pass a Constitution amendment three times, Cabinet should be unanimous in voting on it. But if there is a single vote of dissention, then it is enough to stop that amendment,” said Samiu.

Tongan Former Speaker of the House arrested in relation to South American drug ring

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THE former Speaker of Parliament, Noble Tu‘ilakepa, has been arrested and remanded in custody while Police search for an alleged consignment of cocaine destined for Australia.

Seven search warrants were issued last Thursday on premises related to Tu‘ilakepa, including his residence in Tongatapu, Vava‘u, and the Parliament office in Nuku‘alofa.

Australia Federal Police led the crackdown on the drug ring, in cooperation with local authorities in Australia, Tonga, Peru, and Colombia.

Police Commander Christopher Kelley - detailed to Tonga from his native New Zealand - says the cooperation with AFP relating to the drug smuggling ring “has been going for some months.”

As a consequence of the searches, two firearms were seized from the Noble’s residence - an unlicensed .22 rifle, and a revolver (which is illegal for civilian possession). Several hundred rounds of ammunition was also found.

Magistrate Pita Soakimi directed that Tu‘ilakepa be kept under house arrest at one of the quarters at the Police Training Camp at Longolongo. Police monitor all communications with Tu’ilakepa, which are restricted to interactions between him and his family.

Tu‘ilakepa is suspected by Police of possessing, or knowing the whereabouts of up to 190 kilos of cocaine, intended for the Australian market.

A package of white powder was found in his residence, of which samples will be sent for verification in New Zealand.

One of the pieces of evidence linking Tu‘ilakepa and the South American drug runners is a letter written by him, on Parliamentary letterhead, to support the visa application of one South American person involved.

Tu‘ilakepa will be released from custody on Thursday.

There have been a number of arrests in Australia relating to the drug ring crackdown, including some Tongans.

Commander Kelley says that the information shared by AFP is solid, and that the case is before and under the direction of the courts.

It also means Tu‘ilakepa is presumed innocence until proven guilty.

Noble Tu‘ilakepa has recently been elected a Member of Parliament, as one of the Vava‘u Nobles Representative.

Chinese deny meddling with local politics

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THE Chinese Embassy has categorically denied any involvement of its mission with local politics following allegations that the Ambassador supported one Parliamentary candidate’s campaign.

Mr. Rui Yi, the Ambassador’s Secretary, says the mission has fundamental directives of avoiding meddling with local politics. “We have no intention of interfering with the local affairs of a country, and that is a policy true to all Chinese missions abroad,” said Mr. Yi.

The statement follows allegations made by another “pro-democracy” candidate Akilisi Pohiva that the Ambassador Wang Donghua attended a meeting in Houma village supporting that electorate’s candidate, Saia Moehau.

Pohiva said to Radio New Zealand, and elaborated in his paper, Kele‘a, that Donghua also promised assistance to the electorate.

But Mr. Yi says the Ambassador knew nothing of an election campaign staged at the event he was attending. “The Ambassador was attending a farewell function for Her Royal Highness Pilolevu Tuita who was to leave for America, San Francisco. We know nothing of any campaign, and the Ambassador did not support any campaign or candidate,” said Mr. Yi.

HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita is Chairperson of the Tonga China Friendship Association, and the alleged candidate Saia Moehau is a board member of the organization.

Mr. Yi said the members of TCFA organized a farewell function for the Princess for her pending departure, and the Ambassador was invited. The allegations made by Pohiva have stirred concern among the public, not only due to the relationship between the diplomatic corps, and also the Royal family’s, involvement in politics.

Watermelon donations won’t make it to NZ earthquake relief

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THE declared donation of watermelons from Tongan growers to assist in the Christchurch earthquake relief effort will not leave Tongan shores.

President of the Tonga New Zealand Business Association, Afeaki, said to Tonga Chronicle that the container of watermelons was supposed to reach Christchurch by the last week of October.

“Due to a delay in filling the container because of a delay in harvest as there was a drought earlier, we could not send it as expected by Christchurch,” he said.

The organizing committee had raised about TOP$8000 for the purchase of watermelons from Tongan farmers. Afeaki said that the Office of the Mayor in Christchurch then advised that the donation be made to Tonga Red Cross.

“But we proposed another option, for two families from Christchurch take a holiday to Tonga supported by the funds raised,” said Afeaki.

He said discussion with Christchurch, on the latest option is ongoing, whilst at the same time consulting with donors to the fund to the decision.

“Even considering returning their donations,” said Afeaki.

The organizing committee opted to send a container of watermelons for the relief effort following the earthquake that devastated Christchurch on the 4^th of September.

The Tongan government led a fundraising effort, which saw more than $80k donations from locals to the relief effort in New Zealand.

Tonga engaged by 7 countries’ militaries in one week

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In the last two weeks, Tonga has been visited by the highest concentration of military delegations in the Kingdom's history. 

Delegations from New Zealand, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, France, China, and even India arrived in Tonga on separate bilateral engagements. The number of visits, and the countries involved in these engagements, is unprecedented.

Lieutenant Commander Solomone Savelio says it is usually during Heilala Week that military visits are highest, “This is our own little Heilala Week.”  He said some of the visits have been scheduled months in advance, but a majority were due to Defence services budgets utilised “as most of them are nearing the end of their financial years.”

UN’s Global Peace Operations Initiative

A contingent of UN operated private contracted team of (ex-military and civilian origin) instructors, visiting on a “Train the Trainers” course for Tongan military officers- for the training of personnel to take up peacekeeping roles with the United Nation’s Peace Operation Initiative. The 5 Instructors were from the United States, India, Singapore and Malaysia.

New Zealand/Tonga MAP

A team of 3 New Zealand Defence Force Officers arrived to conduct the annual Mutual Assistance program Talk between TDS and New Zealand Defence Talks.

Australia

3 officers from the Australian Army arrived to talk and prepare the next (10^th) Tongan contingent to partake in the RAMSI in November.

United Kingdom

A 3-member team of instructors visited from the United Kingdom to lead the training of the Tongan contingent to be deployed under British command in Afghanistan.

United States

2 Officers from the US Marines arrived for further talks and discussions of the upcoming TAFAKULA Exercise for 2011.

France

The French frigate La Glorieuse arrived in Nuku‘alofa after a week in Vava‘u on the weekend.

A French 30 member Platoon arrived Tonga on a French CASA sircraft to conduct CEELO Exercise with a Tongan platoon in Tonga.

The French Plane departed Tuesday 31st Aug taking a Tongan platoon to Noumea, New Caledonia to conduct Commando Exercises with the French soldiers. Lieutenant 'Esau Tupou is leading that platoon.

India

Captain Jatinder Singh of the Indian Armed Services made his first visit to Tonga on his new role as Defence Attaché to Tonga.

China

Two Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy ships, a battles frigate Mianyang and a training vessel Zhenghe with total crew of 565 will arrive at 1000 for visit until 1000 hrs Tuesday 7th Sept.There are 3 Admirals on board, including Rear Admiral Leng Zenqin, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the People’s Liberation Army.

They visited Prime Minister Sevele and the Commander of the Tonga Defence Services; sightseeing; exchange sports and visits, and the vessels were open for the public visits last Saturday.

  

Captain Toni Fonokalafi in welcoming the Rear Admiral and the vessels said, “Your support, together with other foreign defence relations, has lifted our capability to a standard where we can cope with government expectations.”

  

In concluding his statement he said, “I believe the program set for the ship’s company to interact with our defence personnel and the people of Tonga, will enhance our defence relations further by developing personal relations.”