Tongans like Talanoa

Give Pohiva Credit - Sefita Hao‘uli, Auckland, New Zealand
Tama Foa admits only to a short memory but years of lunching on Tongan grape-fruit on the way to GPS Fotua has made him short-sighted as well. Yes Senituli, Sevele and Pohiva did share the same platform and they all called for change and significant changes are taking place. That Pohiva continues to rally for change is exactly in keeping with a realistic and farsighted view even though Sevele and Senituli are now playing a decisive role in running the affairs of the nation.

I'm surprised that Tama Foa is unable to take on board the not-too-subtle difference between a PM appointed from the ranks of the elected representatives and one who is not.

It was not everything that Pohiva, Sevele or Senituli collectively called for but we are more in there now than when they were all outside looking in. Give Pohiva credit. Even he recognised that this was only a concession. Give Pohiva even more credit because he is content to remain outside of government to fulfil his role as the most effective critic of government. We would not be where we are today without him and his mentors from the past. We need Pohiva even more today to ensure that a Sevele-led government is going to be better than what we have had till then.

Pohiva, Edwards and Sevele can disagree as they ought to at times but ultimately we should take what's offered, use it to prove that the new political platform is sustainable and that ability rather than inherited power will deliver better results for the nation as a whole. It's no small measure that this was made possible by pressure being applied by those that Kava and Tama Foa are now seeking to ridicule and that concession given only when all the other options were untenable.

Give Sevele and the other Cabinet ministers who accepted the call to step up their dues too for accepting what, in the larger scheme of things is a small but a significant step. It would have been the height of hypocrisy to decline the opportunity to walk the talk.

Unlike Tama Foa and Kava who expect consensus to immediately break out amongst the political players, I sleep easier at night knowing that alongside the infusion of new blood into Cabinet, the popular critical wing is alive and kicking and publicly airing their differences. This is healthy and to be commended because that's their role.

There's very little in what Sevele, Senituli and company has done to date to warrant the suggestion that they've bandoned their wish to see changes to the system. As expected, Pohiva should continue to rally for more changes. Screaming louder and louder to quote Tama Foa, was and is still the peaceful tool which brought us through so far. Be very grateful.

Sevele is experiencing what it's like to have a hand in running the country. And facing Pohiva and Edward's criticism comes with the territory. The report from the Tu'ipelehake-led National Committee should make official what everyone already knows and more. Expect ‘Akilisi to call for more action to follow. An unique and commendable feature of Sevele's approach so far is to actively encourage a more open dialogue and to take the issues out to the public ahead of his critics. That will help to lift everyone's game, Pohiva and Edwards included. And I invite Tama Foa, Kava and those of the chattering class to lift our game as well. - Sefita Hao‘uli

Pohiva, Kele‘a and Transparency - Sione Ake Mokofisi, Salt Lake City Utah, USA
Mr. Hao’uli resorts to personal attacks on Tama Foa (and Sione Kava) in his defense of his “pro-democratic” colleagues. Perhaps in jest, but it reminds me of Mr. Pohiva calling the King (tapu mo ‘Ene ‘Afio) a person suffering from a mental problem.

(In logical discourses, his approach is called a “gratuitous” argument. Attack on the debater…’s character, or even engaging him in a fistfight or a dual rather than the issue at hand.)

I prefer referring to Mr. Hao’uli and his colleagues as “liberals” rather than pro-democrats. Liberals strive for change without responsibilities while pro-democrats would have immersed themselves in the principles of “democracy” and take responsibilities.

1) The disclaimer in their latest round of threats to Government, “You are given 30 days from today to respond to our petition. After 30 days we will not be able to discourage the people from what they have plan to do,” shows their true colors.

Their silence in condemning the destructions of public properties, their silence in condemning racial threats and crimes against non-Tongans living in Tonga, etc., fester class envy, and worst of all racism.

2) Their hypocritical demand for a more “transparent” form of government should start with Mr. Akilisi Pohiva:

a) How can Mr. Pohiva (an elected official) be transparent when he owns a newspaper that fails to observe his transparency? (Perhaps Tama Foa is correct to assert that Pohiva and Company don’t know what democracy is all about).

b) How can Mr. Pohiva take information (leaked or stolen) from Government and published it in his newspaper as his personal property? As an elected official, this “treasure” of information belongs to the people. He should’ve given it to all members of the news media in a news conference like in a democratic system. He should not privately profit with his friends and relatives from what belongs to the people.

3) Mr. Hao’uli also refers to the “concession” made to elevate Dr. Sevele to PM. How characteristic of a liberal, always taking credit for success, and not for failures. In politics a “compromise” is a win-win situation for all parties to live in peace.

Of course, Mr. Pohiva should be given credit where credit is due. However, he does not wear a halo around his head that fair-minded individuals could not scrutinize him as well as we do with Government - in a democracy.

It is long overdue that Mr. Pohiva, an elected official, should divest himself from his conflicting ownership of the “Kele’a” .

Sincerely - SIone Ake Mokofisi

Pohiva and the Demos - Tama Foa, USA
My incoherent diatribes about life and politics may have come across as my failure to recognize the political contributions Mr. Akilisi Pohiva and the democratic movement have made to the kingdom. He has played the adversarial role very well. The Royal Family and the government took noticed of his tenacity, the citizens are paying more attention to the political process, and they are willing to get involved. Mr. Pohiva and all those who have worked tirelessly to change how the kingdom is governed should be applauded and I proudly salute them. Their monumental efforts got us to this point.

That being said, it is the situation at this point of time that puzzles my small mind.

In the past year, we heard multiple threats from this fine bunch on how they will organize demonstrations to bring the government to its knees. The government may not have been on its knees but I was. I was praying to stop the circus to let me off. Along came Mr. Edwards and joined the group despite his outright rejection by Mr. Pohiva during the election campaign. Nevertheless, Mr. Edwards…’ company helped this group became more colorful. Their lawsuit following the Princess Regent…’s opening of Parliament is a good example of their lot. If there is anything constant from this group, it is the succession of failed organized demonstrations and their numerous threats of harm to the government. I am sure they are referring to fiscal not physical harm. When emotions are stoked right, anything goes. Anarchy has no rule.

In my past letter, I refer to their technique as …“Scream loud and louder…” with little strategy of their own to show. Being all politics are local, I do not sense the excitement toward any of their agenda by any local community. Mind you, I am thousands of miles away from Home Station Foa. That may be the reason why I do not hear the excitement and noises of their pompoms. Are their several failed demonstrations an indication of the absence of local supports? I…’m beginning to think that way.

I like the …“Talanoa…” strategy because it is enlisting ideas, providing information to the public…’s enquiring minds, and it builds consensus. Their final recommendation may not be what I want, but it is a step ahead from where we were. There seems to be a clear intent and a concise direction where they are taking this. No successful politician has accomplished anything on his own. Others with opposite views compromised their hard-line stands and found common grounds to enable peaceful political changes. Is it too much of us to ask for it?

There is a time for everything. Indeed, this may be our window of opportunity for discussion without casting stones. Finau …‘Ulukalala II learned that lesson during the Feletoa Fort Campaign. After several unsuccessful attempts to take the fort, he called for a peaceful negotiation and he got it. Though a few did not live happily ever after, peace was accomplished.

Does this mean the Royal family is off the hook? Not by a long shot. I am calling things as my shallow mind comprehends. Even, if it is induced by my over consumption of the grapefruits endowed on our beloved GPS Fotua where my education started and ended. TamaFoa