Tonga's Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele told Parliament there will be no reconciliation, until there is a confession, and a submission for wrong doing by those who initiated the destruction of November 16.

However, 'Akilisi Pohiva expressed his fear that if they confess, "we may all end up in Tolitoli" [prison].

Make peace

In parliament on Monday, June 18, the Prime Minister was responding to a request by 'Akilisi Pohiva and 'Uliti Uata for the Prime Minister to set a direction in order for government and some of the People's Representatives to talk and make peace.

'Akilisi who had just returned from a meeting in Auckland, with the theme: "Pathway for the future", told the House that it was a very important meeting and he wished that such a meeting was first held in Tonga. He said that the meeting had nothing to do with parliament, even though government was represented by the Political Advisor to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister corrected the member, that government was not represented at the meeting in Auckland.

Dr Feleti Sevele said that he would repeat what they [govt.] told church leaders, "we can't have reconciliation until there is confession and admission of guilt by those who initiated the destruction."

With regards to the notion expressed for government and the PRs to work together he reminded 'Uliti and 'Akilisi that that had been his intention since he joined government, and there was an understanding, "but I have been betrayed, and I have been blamed for lying, week after week. I think only Jesus can put up with that."

The Prime Minister told the House that his response to the request by the PRs for dialogue was, "There will be no reconciliation, Speaker."

'Akilisi said that he just wanted to remind the PM that there is a court case going. "If we confess we may all end up at Tolitoli," he said. "So I am asking you Mr Prime Minister please do not use the word confess. You should say sorry to the people."

Five of the People's Representatives, 'Akilisi Pohiva, 'Isileli Pulu, Clive Edwards, 'Uliti Uata and Lepolo Taunisila have been charged with sedition, relating to the events of November 16 last year, when over 150 businesses in Nuku'alofa were destroyed.