Editor,

Are the problems that plague Tonga rooted in the Polynesian concept of time? Worried about today, never mind tomorrow.

It appears that Dr Feleti Sevele has chosen some form of immediate gratification rather than approaching his new position with a long-term historical perspective. The good Dr. should have read up on American history. He has been offered an opportunity to be remembered as the George Washington of Tonga (father of the USA) but has chosen instead to be remembered as a Benedict Arnold (a founding father turned traitor).

Sione Tapani Mangisi and Mele Payne Lynch have both written very informative and compelling letters with regard to the legality of this transfer and the management or lack there of by Shoreline (HRH and Ramanlal brothers).

There are many questions that beg to be asked.

What is in this for the Chinese? What are the consequences of failing to

repay the loans? Do you give up your fishing rights, an island or two or some more passports. Remember that there are people living in caves in western China who could use the aid much more than Tonga. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

How can a country make so many bad investments? Let...’s see, we have the RoyalTongan Airlines, court jester investments, international ship registry,Korean sea water to natural gas conversion, Hawaiian farm lease, etc...…..

Where these really bad investments or a means of laundering the money

stripped from the government treasury and trust fund?

There have been some successful businesses, Tongasat, Shoreline, and Tongan

Passports Ltd. Where has that revenue gone?

Since the PM likes to quote the Bible, here is quote from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 for him to contemplate:

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck

up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time

to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Maybe it is time for change in Tonga.

Joe Smith

utahpalangi [at] msn [dot] com