Recipe for disaster [1]
Friday, August 26, 2005 - 12:00. Updated on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 17:02.
Dear Editor,
Having to read the developments in the Strike in Tonga, I have a few points that I think worthy to think about in the coming few weeks.
It seems that little had been said on the third parties to this national strike, which are the public (people in the outer towns, NGOs, foreigners and tourists alike) and also the business community.
To stop for a moment and think out loud,
a). Kids are not going to school (big examination that will determine their career is just around the corner) why, teachers are on strike.
b). Families of the strikers themselves (especially the lower paid officers who do not have any other source of income since July because of the strike are drying up very soon (debts are increasing and interest rate at the banks from loans are doubling!).
c). What about the hospital services and the emergency service they should provide to the general public. It would be very unlucky to get injured or in need of an emergency health service in Tonga at the moment. How would the people from the outer towns feel when they try to come to the hospital in need of help and being turned away for there is very limited services offered.
d). The economic issues. The country is slowing down (it was suppose to be 'buried' in the next 5 years, but the current situation has catalyse the 'dooms day' for the Tongan economy to the next two years! The economy thrives on local macro businesses, and businesses locally needs every support they can get from the Government. The Customs Department and Quarantine Dept. are out there in the strike, how would numerous number of containers at the ports be cleared? Time is money and time wasted for the products at the port is a great loss for businesses.
e). Tourism and other sources of foreign earnings for your small island country is also greatly affected by the strike. I read the other day a warning from one web site for tourists going into Tonga to take 'extra precaution' when travelling into Tonga. This is a big 'No-No' to many tourists. The hotel and tourist facility providers in Tonga will suffer such consequences.
f). What about the ordinary Tongan men and women? I bet they are just as confused as many other people in this whole commotion. A lot of it is due predominantly to pure lack of knowledge of the whole story. The danger of acting upon 'half of the story' is like what President Bush did in Iraq. The outcome in Tonga is what we see today, Government property is being destroyed. Who will pay for those damages?, it will be the people themselves. Perhaps a new tax will be put upon people's shoulders to cover these damages. What about the developmental projects in the outer villages and workshops that has been planned for this month by NGOs or any other state actors? Can't do much now since 'everybody' is busy with the strike.
g) The response on Matangi Tonga from Tongan overseas clearly shows that they do not support a disrespectful strike or demonstration in Tonga or in New Zealand. Strike is justified as long as it is done in a legal civilised manner.
h). People should also think of the neighbours of Tonga, the countries in the region like Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia. What are they thinking of the situation back in Tonga? How is the Tongan Government dealing with it effectively in a peaceful manner? Tonga has diplomatic links with these countries and so as with some important international organisation such as the United Nations, the Commowealth, IMF, ADB, WB and others. What will these international organisation think of the current situation? Tonga benefits from most of these organisations in many forms. It would be a shame once these countries/organisations stop their diplomatic contacts with Tonga, if this demonstration goes into the path I fear.
Yes, there are quite a number of issues to think about. The way this strike is going to, there will be more issues on the table to think about. It even surprised me when one of the PSC members was interviewed via internet radio, and was asked, 'what is your next strategy if Government will not give in to your set of demands?', he paused for a long time and he said, 'we will work on it tonight'. This shows clearly that for these group of people, they don't have any option B in place. They are set in their mind to strike a deal at 60, 70 and 80% increase, and that's it. This is a recipe for disaster and deadlock in negotiation. One need to be 'open-minded' when you go into the negotiating table. Of course, and so as the Government's table, but if both 'tables' goes into negotiation with fixed positions, the outcome is devastation to Tonga! One or both sides needs to look at the bigger picture, one or both sides has to be 'willing' to compromise to stop this strike.
Finally, this strike will finish, sooner or later. Peacefully or not, it will be the people of Tonga that will bear the consequences. There will be no winner in this strike but only casualties and losers. The country will be in a big mess and so as the economy and the very people that shouted on the road for strike, will go back and try to re-build what had been broken. Also be reminded, that to try and kick out the current government and the leaders by force or other illegal methods is not legal in the eyes of the international community. So if international troops will be sent in to assist in keeping the peace, they will take side with the current LEGAL government. It is sad to hear but that is the fact of it.
Sincerely yours,
Brian Sutton.
Ontario, Canada.
briansutton01 [at] yahoo [dot] ca (v)