Goff explains the guff [1]
Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 11:00. Updated on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 - 14:26.
From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 1, May 2002.
Following the report of damning comments about Tonga by a New Zealand Cabinet Minister and his associate in the New Zealand press, Matangi Tonga tried to arrange a telephone interview with the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Phil Goff and the Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Matt Robson. After trying repeatedly for several days, we were unable to get a clarification from Robson who was the most aggressive in his accusations against the Tongan government and Royal Family. Mr Goff, however, replied to emailed questions, as follows:
Pesi Fonua – There was a report in the New Zealand Herald of New Zealand government Ministers warning the Tongan Government to respect Human Rights, can you please tell me specifically the Human Rights that the Tongan Government has infringed, which upset the New Zealand government?
Phil Goff - Fundamental Human Rights, such as individual freedom of expression and association, and freedom of the press, are guaranteed in the Tongan Constitution. There is debate within Tonga about whether these are being fully implemented. As a country which supports and promotes Human Rights in all countries, New Zealand naturally supports such constitutional rights being upheld.
You have expressed your concern over how there is no sign for major constitutional change to take place in Tonga. Can you please tell me what are the changes that you would like to see made to the Tongan Constitution?
New Zealand strongly believes that people in every country should have the right freely to determine the composition of their government and to change their government through the ballot box if they so choose. Tonga’s particular constitutional arrangements and system of government set it apart from others in the region in its more limited exercise of democratic government. The nature of its constitution and political system is, however, a matter for Tongans to decide and not New Zealand. I have pointed out the extent of political evolution and change which has occurred in many other countries over recent years and made clear that New Zealand stands ready to assist Tonga in the process of change if asked.
Comments that have been made by both yourself and Matt Robson in the New Zealand media recently implied that you are campaigning for political changes to take place in Tonga. Why do you think it is your responsibility to campaign for change in Tonga and why do you think such a change is needed?
See my answer to the previous question.
A comment made by Matt Robson that corruption was endemic in Tonga, was based on a letter that was published in an Auckland based newspaper, Taimi ‘o Tonga, and in a local newsletter, the Kele‘a. The letter alleged that the King of Tonga held millions of dollars in an overseas bank account. Are you aware that this letter now appears to be a fraud and the people involved have been charged with criminal offences?
New Zealand is continuing to work with Tonga, at Tonga’s request, in support of economic reform and good governance — areas which can help to address problems of corruption, as well as assisting with economic and social development.
I have never ever commented on the letter, which was supposed to have referred to secret funds held by the King. Whether or not the letter is a fake and whether it is defamatory are matters for Tonga’s judicial system to determine.