The threat of a National Strike and Civil Disobedience ended in oblivion on June 29 when Tonga's Prime Minister answered a letter of petition before the June 30 deadline set by a loose-knit group of protestors.

In the month-old petition seven People's Representatives and nine political groups of various sizes and convictions stated that if government did not reply to the letter, "this is what we are committed to do:

1. Protest until the meeting the of the Pacific Forum Leaders [to be held in Tonga in October];

2. Conduct a referendum;

3. Carry out a National Strike;

4. Carry out Civil Disobedience.

They also declared that if government did not respond to their letter in 30 days then, "we would not be able to stop the people from going ahead with what they planned to do."

Although they did not identify the people they were referring to, they stated that the groups signing the petition were committed to carry out the threat of civil disobedience.

Reply

Interestingly, the group of protestors were not demanding that government address their dissatisfactions but merely that government should reply to their letter of Petition.

Following the opening of parliament by the Princess Regent Princess Pilolevu on May 30, the petition was presented to the Palace Office by People's Representatives, 'Akilisi Pohiva, Clive Edwards, 'Isileli Pulu, Sunia Fili, 'Uliti Uata, Vili Kaufusi and Lepolo Taunisila. They listed their dissatisfactions with the current political system as:

1. Dissatisfaction with the current restructuring of government, without amending any legislations or the constitution;

2. Dissatisfied with the government redundancy program, which was supposed to be based on the fact that government has no money, but at the same new ministers and position were appointed;.

3. Dissatisfied with the annual salary increments and the inconsistency of the appointment of acting posts;

4. Unhappy with the negotiation for Tonga to access the WTO without any consultation with the people and the business people of Tonga;

5. The government's proposed $60 million loan to give Shoreline;

6. Unhappy with how the Prime Minister, government and the Prince Regent appointed cabinet ministers without any consideration of senior and qualified civil servants;

7. Dissatisfied with the lack response to an earlier letter of petition.

Supporters

The petition was supported by the following nine civil groups -

1. The People's Committee for political Reform in Tonga;

2. The Public Servants Association;

3. The Tonga Business Association;

4. The Friendly Islands Teachers' Association;

5. The Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democracy Movement;

6. Representative of the National Youth Council;

7. The Growers Council;

8. The People's Democratic Party;

9. The Tongo Fionoa, a group led by former Vava'u People's Representative, Koli Afuha'amango.

All these groups supported the ultimatum of civil disobedience if the government did not respond to the letter before June 30.



However, it appeared to be an empty threat because no real action had been planned, and on June 21, even the group leader 'Akilisi Pohiva said that as far as he knew, "no plan of action has been made."

Law and Order

The Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele, on the other hand, on June 29 replied to the letter of petition, and emphasised that it was important for government to maintain Law and Order.

The question and answer response from the Prime Minister to the seven points of dissatisfaction by the seven People's Representatives and their supporters appeared to have been accepted. People's Representative Lepolo Taunisila in a television broadcast on June 30 referred to the government's response as a "panadol treatment".