MA60 continues to strain Tonga-New Zealand relationship
Monday, November 11, 2013 - 22:22
The Tonga government's refusal to bring an international aviation authority to certify the MA60 aircraft gifted by China, has strained Tonga’s relationship with New Zealand during the past three months.
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In the interests of aircraft
In the interests of aircraft safety in Tonga all Tongans/ overseas tourists should be advised of issues such as this. The following paragraph [August 13, 2013 8:54 PM] is from a blog found on the internet: Tonga's MA60 airborne! http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/tongas-ma60-airborne.html . This is frightening stuff!
'Oku ha mahino mai 'eni 'ae
'Oku ha mahino mai 'eni 'a e ola lelei 'a e ngaue 'a Siaina ki Tonga. Ko e feinga'i ke vakovi 'a Tonga mo e ngaahi fonua temokalati mo tui faka-Kalisitiane na'a nau tokoni'i mai 'a Tonga talu mei hono 'ilo'i 'a Tonga 'i he kolope, hange ko Pilitania, USA, NZ, Australia etc. Ko e fa'ahinga tokateline 'a Siaina 'oku fehangahangai 'aupito ia pea mo e ngaahi fonua ko'eni 'oku ha atu 'i 'olunga, kau ai 'a e lotu faka-Kalisitiane, tokateline fakakominiusi, pea mo hono 'abuse' totonu 'a e tangata. 'Oku 'ikai kovi 'a e fakakaume'a 'a Tonga ki ha fonua muli koe'uhi ko ha fa'ahinga tokoni. Ka 'oku fakavalevale kia Samiu Vaipulu, pea mo e kau taki 'o e Pule'anga Tonga ke nau vaihaka kinautolu ki Siaina, pea ta'etali ai kole 'a NZ ke 'certify' 'a e MA60 'i he tu'unga faka 'international, ke 'qualify' 'a Tonga kihe me'a' ofa 'a NZ. Ko hono mo'oni kuo 'osi fakakaukau pe 'a e kau taki lolotonga ia 'o e Pule'anga, ko Siaina 'a e misaia ki hono solova 'o e ngaahi palopalema 'o e Pule'anga Tonga. Ko e kau tauhi sipi 'ofa mo'oni, ko e 'enau sio ki he luo, pea afe'i 'a e fanga sipi mei ai. SAIA
If any country understands
If any country understands the risks of cutting corners on safety it should be Tonga. Ask the families of the Ashika victims what they think of Minister Vaipulu's amusement at the criticisms he is deflecting. I have heard it said that a country which cannot make its trains run on time should not attempt to operate nuclear power stations, as they are culturally incompatible. Safety is a solemn duty which sometimes will clash with Tonga's culture of respect for authority. Can a junior mechanic who calls to cancel a flight be silenced by his boss if the Princess Royal is onboard? The Minister should cease giving personal assurances about the M60's safety and have the aircraft independently certified, or step down.