Dear Editor,

Sailosi Finau's highlights of the chaotic Pacific neighbors (22nd Feb 2006) who were ones ruled or are still ruled by super-powers, cannot be gone unchallenged.

He might want to research that countries like the one that he currently resides in, such as NZ, and not to mention US and Aust were ones colonies of a super power at that time - Great Britain...

Developments in these now First World Economies have led to us Tongans, leaving our "uncolonised country" to reside in these countries...

So the old saying of "Taha pe 'i he Pasifiki Saute".. is it a Pride worth holding on to.?

If we should, then we should have all stayed back home holding on to that Pride instead of looking to greener pastures in countries that were once colonies but now have a thriving economy that Tonga is just merely holding on to its thread of remittances.. it would take Tonga 50 to 100 years to equal their economic strength.

The decision made at Pouono was a great decision at that time... but like there is always 2 sides to every coin..

Tu'a Ofa Atu,

Saimone Tupou