No security threat in Tonga, PM assures Forum leaders [1]
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 18:00. Updated on Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 20:41.
There is no security threat in Tonga, Forum leaders have been assured, and the Pacific Islands Forum meeting is still scheduled to be held in Nuku'alofa from October 23-25, Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele told the Tongan parliament yesterday.
The Prime Minister said that only the death of the king might force a change in venue from Tonga.
He was disputing an August 21 Radio Australia news report that the Pacific Island Forum leaders meeting had been moved to Fiji.
In response to a concern expressed by the Vava'u No. 1 People's Representative, Samiu Vaipulu that the Radio Australia news web-site reported a concern by Pacific Leaders for their safety while attending the Forum Meeting because of threat of protest by a pro-political reform group, the Prime Minister stressed that there had not been any change in venue for the Forum. He said that the Forum Secretariat had expressed concern over a threat of possible violence, but they had been reassured that there was no security threat.
Deteriorating slowly
The Prime Minister said that the only thing that may stop the Forum from being held in Tonga was if the King, who is critically ill at the Mercy Hospital, Auckland, passed away before October.
The Prime Minister said he went to New Zealand last Thursday, and during the two days he was in Auckland had an audience with the king. He said he had a brief conversation with the king, but according to the king's physician, "the health of the king is deteriorating slowly."
Meanwhile, 'Akilisi Pohiva, a member of parliament and the chairman of the group who wrote a threatening letter to Pacific Leaders and the Forum Secretariat, told the House that there will be no trouble and there was nothing to worry about, but he said that he and his committee were not responsible for anyone who may cause trouble.