Tongan peacekeepers going to Iraq

Unjust war not for Tonga - David Taumoepeau:
I felt so strongly about this issue that I decided to write: This is wrong. Not only are these Tongan troops not equipped to handle the unique tactical challenges of an Iraqi operation, but the war itself is wrong. Though I am a Tongan by heritage I am an American by birth, and I believe in the 'cause of freedom and liberty, things which we hold dear and prize above all else - but this war was ill-advised from the onset and it continues to become a major problem for the American government. This war is not about liberating Iraq nor its people from a terrible regime, though it was. There are comparable cruel regimes around the world and yet we have not decided to strike them. What makes Iraq so unique is that it holds strategic value to American Business' interests. This is a war funded by the American people but benefiting primarily businesses with business that center around oil.

American forces lose several soldiers a day - and the number is over several hundred thus far. If our soliders, who are considered the best trained and most feared fighting force in the world, cannot maintain stability in this country what do you think Tongan Defence troops will suffer? Tonga is not a big country like the US, able to sustain an occupation of this size. Every soul counts even more for an island country such as Tonga. This is not Tonga's war. Her soldiers must prepare and fight at a time when they will be needed to directly help her cause, not the cause of another country fighting a war that its citizens increasingly disapprove of. We must not waste our Tongan brothers' lives on such an operation. We admire their courage, and their commitment to represent their motherland but their lives will be needed at some other time, not now, and not in Iraq.

I know I am only one voice. But my voice is one that will cry out that this war is wrong, that Tongan troops are not prepared for such an operation, and that both must not continue. I am only one voice, but if I've been able to change the opinion of even one person that my lonely voice will have at least saved the disillusionment that this war is just. Because it is not. - David Taumoepeau

Other ways we can show Americans we are on their side - Mele Sisilia Tonga:
I agree with the above comment. This is not Tonga's war and it is not our way of paying back the good deeds the Americans have done for us in past decades. I think that most of us Tongans are sharing the same feelings but we cannot say or have the courage to express our disagreements in regards to our boys going to Iraq.

We are asking ourselves why are we sending these boys to Iraq? For whose glory and honour? Where is our sense of good thoughts?. Why is it that our politicians not crying out about this? It is just not enough from us Tongans to speak out and ask what's all behind this mission. Is the government doing all this because we are starting to loose favour from our American friends? There are just other ways that we can show the Americans that we are still on their side, like becoming more democratic with our aging political system of government. I hate to say that I know that this is a one man decision to send our troops to Iraq.

What happen if our boys die? What will happen to their families? Are we going to replace the father, the son or the brother that we are going to loose? Who will answer all the little kid's questions about his Daddy not coming back from Iraq? Who will comfort the mother who will loose a son? I know for sure that we will not be able to replace or bring back a lost soldier from Iraq if something will happen to them. You may think that I'm loosing hope here for our boys, but we only have to face reality. From what I've read and followed with this Iraq war I can tell that there are soldiers dying day by day and only God knows what will happen to the Tongans. Why is the government letting our boys into a war that we know the Americans are not winning. We know that there is no winning in any war, only lives of soldiers paying for the pride, greed and selfishness of decision makers in their governments.

Are we going to be targeted by the Al-qaida or other Muslim terrorists groups since we are sending troops to back up the Americans? Can our government guarantee safety for Tongans and Chinese holding Tongan passports traveling around the world? Can our Government answer my questions? I thought that we are supposed to be a Christian country, that we don't believe in an eye for an eye, for we know that that will make the world go blind. There is too much to ask and say but I think this is enough for now.

I'll just pray and hope that God will interfere and guide them back home safely. - Mele Sisilia Tonga

We pray for soldiers' safe return - Andrew Fifita:
As a Tongan I am proud of our Tongan Defence Force personnel and their commitment to this deployment, we need to support ALL Tongan Defence personnel especially the young boys whom about now being sent to another trouble spot in the world, since deployment to Op Helpemfren in Solomon Islands 2003.

Our duty is to fully support our Tongan Soldiers and their families, these are fathers, brothers, sons, Uncles and loved ones of Tongan families whom need our strong support and with God's help his protection, blessing and safe return home.

The world is a very different place since 11 Sept 2001, the first Tongan Expeditionary force landed in the Solomon Islands in WW2, Tonga is now engaged again in another war, some argue this is not Tonga's war, that the US-Tonga alliance be maintained, that this is fight for freedom, whatever the arguement they face an unforeseen foe, yet Tonga's history pages now records this event again in time.

To our Tongan boys in green, “This is our finest hour, may God bless you all, keep you safe and well, may the nation find solice in its heart to cherish you and pray for you where ever it is your souls will take you, be strong in spirit, may your heart's shine with Jesus Christ, your courage protect you, we support you. Go in the knowledge that the Kingdom of Tonga loves you and is proud of everyone of you and that all Tongans around the world are proud of you all and God speed, we all pray for your safe return”.

Please support our Tongan soldiers their families and pray for them all. I dedicate this letter to my late great grandfather Tevita Mafi Tupou. - Andrew Fifita

Sacrifice will be rewarded - Tevita Leaaevai:
David Taumoepeau seems to be a very smart American scholar of international relations from University of California, Los Angeles, one of the most Liberal university in America, he writes like them and sounds like he hates America but that is “democracy in America ” you voice what you think and say any thing you want to say. He seems to be a very opinionated man, he made claims that does not hold water or may need to be debated. That is his Liberal view point and he has all the right to express it.

Tonga of Today is smarter than Tonga of Yesterday, “be proud to be part of Tonga of Today and what it can do around the world today.” I am very proud of the few selected Royal Tongan Army soldiers who will serve in Iraq side by side with the US Marine. “You have answered your call, stand up and stand tall.” I know you are ready to leave families behind but remember sacrifice will be rewarded. My neighbor in my village was serving in the Solomon Islands during the 2nd World War and now lives in America. He was rewarded for helping America during the war. I can see it happening again after this war.

Your Commander In Chief is doing the right thing. I commend your leaders and wish them all the blessing to lead you into war. Always remember that you are going to a war zone, know the weapon or weapons you are carrying, make sure it is ready 24/7. I do not want to sound like one of your commanders, if I do, please forgive me I am just overjoyed to know that Tonga is stepping up to be counted. I know that Bush Administration will appreciate Tonga's military contribution to the war in Iraq. - Tevita Leaaevai

HRDMT criticizes Tonga Soldiers to Iraq - Demo:
The Human Rights and Democracy Movement today criticizes government’s plan to send a squad to Iraq.

Speaking on behalf of the Movement, Rev. Simote Vea says, the move is irrational. Tonga’s intrusion into Iraq invites possible reactions from the Al Quada regime. Tonga simply puts itself at risk as one possible target of the Al Quada terrorists. We have witnessed the hazards of being involved in such high-risk operation as occurred in Bali, Indonesia. It was retaliation to the Australian involvement in the events of the invasion of Iraq.

Vea says, referring to earlier instances, that Tonga government has been proud with the notion of not interfering with another country’s affair but this reposition has now put itself on the contrary.

Vea, explains Tonga’s peacekeeping force to the Solomon Islands are paid $50 each a day from the Australian government. Fiji’s Peace Keeping Force sent to Lebanon was based on an agreement with the United Nations. But, there are no clear benefits Tonga will receive from the Iraq mission. What has been said is that the US is only covering their travel and subsistence costs but the salaries of the soldiers will have to be covered by the Tongan government.

‘The move is indicative of Tonga government’’s intention to build its military and a show of might. It is just another scene of dictatorship and Tonga is not yet ready to receive coffins brought back home from the battlefields of Iraq.

‘Perhaps this is also a move to show-off the strength of its military and to suppress and threaten any public reactions’. - Demo

An honor to have Tonga by our side - Doug Sadtler (Texas, USA):
Upon reading your story with regards to the deployment of troops to Iraq, I send your King, Prime Minister, and all applicable dignitaries Best Wishes from a very grateful nation. I wish for you to know that your gesture is not impuned in any way by its size or purpose. It is an honor to have you by our side and we welcome your military contingent with open arms!!! Thank you for your display of courage and honor with your presence. I also plan on sending a correspondence to your American embassy where it can perhaps be forwarded to your Monarch and Prime Minister. If you know of a more direct link to use, I will gladly take your advisement. - Doug Sadtler