Chief Trade Advisor not to be compromised by funding

Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries Lisiate Akolo

Pacific Trade Ministers maintain funding arrangements by development partners should not compromise the independence and integrity of the office of the Pacific Island Forum’s Chief Trade Advisor.

The issue received significant attention when Trade Ministers met in Vava’u.

The OCTA was established in 2009 to advise the Pacific Island Forum on the development of the regional trade agreement PACER Plus.

Australia and New Zealand have offered to continue funding, while New Zealand develops an agreement to provide support for OCTA to September 2011, and welcomed the work done by the OCTA towards an MOU framework for PACER Plus.

Chair of the meeting, Labour and Commerce Minister Hon. Lisiate ‘Akolo says the measure is in light of increasing attention towards the pace that PACER Plus is undertaken.

The issue went under fire when funders Australia and New Zealand pushed for the OCTA to operate strictly to PACER Plus.

“But some countries also wanted the Chief Trade Advisor to assist them on other trade agreements and negotiations. So a lot wanted the office to operate independently of any restrictions,” ‘Akolo told Tonga Chronicle.

“Also, the office is the intermediary on PACER Plus negotiations between the Pacific islands on one side, and Australia and New Zealand on the other, and since they’re also funding, it is only fair to make sure the office maintains its mandate,” ‘Akolo said.

He said the agreement was tentative, and is submitted for a final decision during the Forum leaders meeting in September.

Recently, Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Affairs Richard Marles told Tonga Chronicle that in Australia’s view, PACER Plus is more about finding markets in Australia for Pacific commodities.

‘Akolo confirmed, and said at the moment a majority of trade with Australia and New Zealand is “lobsided”, as they ship more to the islands than they receive.

“One of the areas of focus for PACER Plus at the moment is trade facilitation, and how we can even out the playing field,” he said.

He said trade negotiations had traditionally been negotiated by the Forum Secretariat, but due to significant Australian and New Zealand influence, the office of the Chief Trade Advisor was created.

Colonel Mara granted Tongan citizenship, leaves for Australia

© Tevita Motulalo

Former Fijian Army Commander Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, aka Roko Ului, has departed Tongan shores today for Australia to speak in a pro-democracy rally in Canberra.

He was granted Tongan Citizenship and a passport yesterday. 

He is still awaiting New Zealand's decision on whether they will allow him to enter the country.

He is expected to be back in Tonga in at least a week.

Mara landed in Tonga a month ago after a “fishing expedition” went wrong and was “rescued” by Tongan Navy.

He has been accused by Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama of jumping bail, after he was charged with sedition for voicing anti-government remarks.

Rescue of Fijian Army Colonel Mara: “Navy people are stupid”, and Fijian PM is Navy

Interview by Tevita Motulalo, Managing Editor, Tonga Chronicle. 3:30pm, Thursday 26th, Polota’ane, Nuku’alofa.

Former Fijian Infantry Commander Lt. Col. Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara

Tonga Chronicle: Thank you for the interview. Enjoying the stay here?

Ratu Tevita Mara: Very much.

Tonga Chronicle: Can you retell the story of your departure from Fiji?

Mara: Well there’s still a lot of versions from the other side. I’ve been told to write a book about this, the Great Escape. It’s either the Great Escape or the Fishing Expedition.

As I’ve said, it was a fishing trip.

The boundary is only twelve miles, its not the two hundred miles limit. I think people are making it out that its two hundred miles from the furthest island there. So any other boat can travel within that twelve mile without intruding into Fiji’s international waters. And that’s what I’ve spoken about. I was out there fishing and I got into troubles. Where I was you couldn’t see land anyway. One of [Tonga’s] boats was in the area.

As you know, I am not the first case of a person drifting in the Pacific. There’s people drifting from Vanuatu to Fiji, from Kiribati all the way to Fiji, and vice versa. It’s how soon you get picked up.

Tonga Chronicle: Did you have any company?

Mara: No, I was on my own. I was dropped off to Kadavu, and then I was on my own. I was rescued between Kadavu and the Ono-i-Lau area.

Tonga Chronicle: So the issue of sovereignty being intruded is irrelevant?

Mara: Well, you know, the South Pacific belongs to everyone. So, I don’t know why the issue of sovereignty has come up now. You’ve got the case regarding Minerva Reefs coming up. Now that’s a case of sovereignty. Amongst Fijians, to my knowledge, sovereignty issues between countries in the Pacific is not really an issue. Before, our forefathers traveled on canoes from one island to the other, one country to the other, without any issue at all.

But I suppose when something like this happens, countries try and bring up the issue of sovereignty as in this case, which is what Fiji is trying to do.

China donates laptops to Parliament

Speaker of Parliament, Lord Lasike receiving 30 laptops from Ambassador Wang for the entire Tongan Parliament

© Tevita Motulalo

The Legislative Assembly is on its way to becoming the “first ever electronic Parliament in the world”, thanks to a donation of laptops from the Chinese Embassy.

China’s Ambassador to Tonga, HE Wang Donghua Mr. Wang handed over the donation to the Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, Lord Lasike, and conveyed China’s continued commitment to support Tonga’s development needs.

The shipment of 30 brand-new Dell laptops were ordered straight from China, according to Embassy First Secretary Rui Yi.

The donation was requested by Speaker of the House, Lord Lasike to the Ambassador “to help members dispose of their duties in a “technologically-challenging world.”

He said he hopes MPs “use it constructively for the benefit of the country”, acknowledging China’s help.

“Tonga will soon be the first ever electronic parliament in the world, and will be a platform for greater transparency,” pledged Lord Lasike.

He said the availability of the technology also helps MPs accountability.

“They can instantly chat with their constituents during the sessions.”

The laptops will be used in the House by all members of Parliament.

Lord Speaker offended by ‘slanderous’ support of Kelley

© Tevita Motulalo 

The Speaker of the House, Lord Lasike, is still pondering why “chiefs” came to be involved in internal matters of Police, raised by civil society organisations in support of Police Commissioner Chris Kelley as petitions from within police called for his immediate replacement.

“This is but a blind attack on the structure of the Tongan society,” said Lasike.

“As a Noble representative, it’s offending to me and the people I represent,” he said, “Not only is it inaccurate, it turns us Nobles into a perception of uncivilised and barbaric ‘chiefs’.”

The Civil Society Forum of Tonga released a statement supporting Police Commissioner Kelley when members of Police called for his removal by Cabinet.

In it, the CSFT notes that Kelley has shown significant commitments for the civil society organisations.

One of Kelley’s successes, according to the CSFT, was he “Spearheaded the fight against drugs with the investigation and apprehension of Chiefs involved in drug abuse.”

“Firstly, it was an Australian Federal Police  operation and Chris Kelley happened to be Police Commander when it happened,” said Lasike.

“Secondly it only involved one individual, not a group of ‘chiefs’, and thirdly the alleged violations are actually about drug trafficking not ‘drug abuse’.

“Besides, that matter is pending in court. Bringing the case out like that suggests the guy has been convicted in court, jeopardising justice and contempt of court,” he said.

“I demand the CSFT retract their comments and apologise for the insult, and in the public interests of factual information to please correct all the errors it contains. It is slanderous,” he said.

PLA gives Tonga Defence 6 million worth of military equipment

© Tevita Motulalo

CHINA has committed 6 million RMB assistance of military equipment to Tonga Defence for the next two years, with the first shipment to arrive in Tonga before August.

The agreement was negotiated by Tonga’s Ambassador to China, H.E Siamelie Latu with Rear Admiral Guan Youfei, who was in Tonga recently in a goodwill visit.

Brigadier General Tau’aika ‘Uta’atu told Tonga Chronicle that the assistance is part of an ongoing engagement between China and Tonga’s military.

“Its really not surprising,” he said.

Adm. Guan is the Deputy Chief of China’s Defence Ministry’s Foreign Affairs Office.

The Admiral conveyed how he understands that the force development of the Tonga Defence includes an increase in the number of soldiers, and his Ministry is prepared to assist training of TDS personnel.

Moreover, he said that China has approved in principle the participation of its military band in the celebration of King George Tupou V birthday in August.

“China is ready to take active measure to further promote the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two armed forces,” a statement of the meeting said.

H.E Latu recently toured the College of Defence Studies (CDS) National Defence University (NDU) of People’s Liberation Army (PLA), where he was awarded a Certificate of Advanced Defence Studies after a yearlong study in 2001.

Receiving him was CDS Deputy Principal, Senior Colonel Guo, who expressed his warm welcome said that it was a great honour for “CDS-NDU is proud of having such a participant in the history of the school.

Latu was accompanied on the tour by his wife, Mrs. Sesilia Monalisa Latu, and was given an honorary military escort to the school at Changping District, Beijing.

Catholic priest named in ‘Ikale Tahi’s Churchill Cup Squad

Fr. Tomasi Sili of the Marists Brothers, called to the Ikale Tahi squad for the Churchill Cup

© Tevita Motulalo

It’s been usual practice that men of the cloth accompany national sports teams when they embark on foreign tour. They help in spiritual guidance, and are a central figure of respect that unite the team.

But, sometimes there’s always an exception to the rule.

The selectors of the ‘Ikale Tahi have called on Father Tomasi Sili of the Marists Brothers, not to be the chaplain for the upcoming Churchill Cup tour to the UK, but as a spearhead for the ‘Ikale Tahi backline, playing as outside centre.

Father Sili was only recently ordained in December last year after graduating with a Bachelors of Divinity from Marist College in Bomana,PNG.

Marists Regional Superior in Tonga, Fr. ‘Anaua Finau says he is awaiting approval of Fr. Sili to join the team, from the order’s directors in Fiji.

“But it is highly likely,” he told Tonga Chronicle.

He also said it is also an opportunity for Fr. Sili to extend his missionary work on the international rugby arena.

At 28 years of age, Fr. Sili has a notable rugby record. He played the same position in ‘Api Fo’ou College’s reputable team of 2000, that thrashed rivals with airtight goal line security against formidable foes like Tonga College and Toloa, allowing only one try for the whole inter-college season.

Fr. Sili has also represented Tonga internationally.

“Its great, I think I can take it,” Fr. Sili told Tonga Chronicle.

He is currently recovering from a mild knee injury when the Marists Longoteme recently clashed with the Kolofo’ou Lions the week before last.

During a break from his studies in 2004, Sili was in Tonga and played for the Marists in the Lavengamalie Cup.

He was approached to join the ‘Ikale Tahi squad then, but he couldn’t leave his studies.

According to Ikale Tahi Coach Isitolo Maka, Fr. Sili was the second best option after the expected second five ‘Amanaki Kefu was taken down with injury.

“Tomasi [Sili] still retains his calibre as a top class player,” Maka said.

Fr. Sili is from Haveluliku.

The Churchill squad is also included in the Coach’s full squad for the World Cup in September.