Organised civil disturbance threatened for July 1 by Tongan protesters earlier this month, appears to be nothing but hot air.

'Akilisi Pohiva, the leader of the protesters who numbered about 1000, including seven People's Representatives, said today that as far as he knows, "no plan of action has been made."

The protesters on June 1 presented a petition and an ultimatum to the Princess Regent for action on their several demands linked to a threat of civil disobedience, national strikes and more protest marches.

Their demands and threats were delivered to the Palace Office on the day parliament opened.

Following the march, 37 protestors appeared in the Police Magistrate's Court charged with with "interfering with the course of Justice", and a hearing was set for July 18. The charge related to a confrontation with the police of the marchers and their vehicles.

No public response

Meanwhile, the private secretary for the Princess Regent, Sateki 'Ahio who was this week on leave to attend the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga's annual conference, was not available for comment, and there has been no public response to the demands from either the Princess Regent or the Tongan government.

The letter of petition that was presented by PR Lepolo Taunisila, demanded that:

"- action to be taken immediately and amend the constitution, enabling the people to elect all members of parliament, the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers;

- for a referendum to be conducted to ascertain the wishes of the people for a political reform;

- for the constitution to be amended and for the people to elect all members of parliament in the 2008 general election;

- postponed Tonga's signature to the become a member of the WTO;

- to terminate Shoreline's Development License and to discontinue with the government loan to buy back Shoreline. For all the People Representatives to be members of a committee to negotiate the return of the Power Generation 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."

What the protesters planned to do after the 30 days deadline on July 1, was:

- Hold protest marches during the coming Pacific Forum Meeting in October;

- Hold a referendum;

- Hold National Strikes;

- Conduct Civil Disobedience.

The letter of petition was supported by:

1. National committee of the people for political reform;

2. The Public Servants Association;

3. The Tonga Business Association;

4. The Friendly Islands Teachers Association;

5. The Friendly Island Human Right and Democracy Movement;

6. The Council of the Growers;

7. The People's Democratic Party;

8. The Tongao Fionoa from Vava'u.