A second Tonga Defence Service deployment to Iraq is expected within the next few weeks, the US Ambassador to Tonga Mr Larry M. Dinger said in Nuku'alofa on July 4.

Speaking in Nuku'alofa at a reception on board the U.S. Navy Destroyer USS John Paul Jones, Ambassador Dinger, noted that the port visit of the navy ship illustrated the close bilateral military relationship between the USA and Tonga. "A second Tonga Defence Service deployment to the Coalition of the Willing in Iraq in the next few weeks will be further testimony," he said.

Tonga's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Hon. Tu'a Taumoepeau Tupou has yet to announce the dates of Tonga's second Iraq deployment.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, finalised by the Commander of the Tonga Defence Services, Brigadier General 'Uta'atu, and US Defence Attache, Lt. Col. Patrick Reardon, yesterday, a high level Tonga defence delegation is expected leave for Iraq this weekend to make final arrangements for the Tonga deployment.

Ambassador Dinger, who is based at the US Embassy in Suva, commented that the July 4 Independence Day reception was normally held in Fiji. They decided to hold it in Tonga this year due to the difficult situation in Fiji with the Interim Government, and because they had not celebrated in Tonga before. July 4 was also the occasion of the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV's birthday.

The Ambassador in his speech, said he attended the late king's funeral last year. "The United States will always be thankful for the productive and friendly relations the late King fostered with us, which are continuing under the reign of King George Tupou V."

In noting that the USA advocated democratic systems for other nations, too, Ambassador Dinger said, "As Tonga strives to recover from last November's tragedy, major issues remain: reconstructing Nuku'alofa's business district; exacting justice for those who did wrong; healing wounds through reconciliation; and certainly continuing past progress toward a more democratic future.

"The United States acknowledges that Tonga's issues are for Tonga to resolve. At the same time, we remain committed to the Asia-Pacific region, including to Tonga, our long-time friend."

He encouraged Tonga's leaders to work together "to find the most statesmen-like ways possible to resolve differences and chart the course to a peaceful, prosperous, and suitably democratic future."

In a reply to the Ambassador, Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister Dr Viliami Tangi, recalled that President Bush had made it known that Tonga was his favourite country. This was cofirmed in a CBS News interview in 2004 where Laura Bush, when asked: What is your husband's favorite foreign country? had replied, "That's easy. Tonga. I'll never forget how touched he was the day they came into the coalition of the willing."

The first deployment of Tongans to Iraq was made by 45 Royal Tongan Marines led by the then Colonel 'Uta'atu, in July 2004, where the Royal Tonga Marines were augmenting the 1st Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) in the Al Anbar Province. The Royal Marines supported the 1st Marine Division's security and stabilization mission at Camp Blue Diamond. The Royal Tonga Marines returned from Iraq in December 2004.

Tonga's Defence Service is 450 strong, not much more than the 300 complement of the visiting US destroyer, USS John Paul Jones captained by Cdr. James Housinger.