Editor,

Just came across Mr. Sosaia Fatani's letter (USA Congress differs from the Tongan parliament, 23 July 2007) in which he illustrates his shallow knowledge of the procedures in the U.S. Congress. He needs to do some research before making statements he cannot defend.

Mr. Fatani writes: In America, politicians with pending civil and/or criminal cases are not forced to resign and/or refrain from holding an office. A politician in the States is not ordered by a pending criminal case to resign or quit. This is not true.

Please review the case of former House of Representatives, Minority Leader Tom Delay (Republican, Texas) who was indicted for conspiring to use illegal corporate contributions into the Texas Elections in 2005. Under House rules any member 'accused' of criminal conduct must step aside while fighting their legal battle. Mr. Delay, and many other indicted politicians have been forced to resign.

The reasoning behind it is that they have breached the 'public trust' and they are no longer trusted to do their job honestly. Democratic Representative William Jefferson, Louisiana, indicted for accepting bribes: FBI agents found $90,000 in cash stashed in his refrigerator. Do you think he should still serve in the Ways and Means Committee in the House? He was forced to step aside. His indictments are not about his seat as a House Representative; his conducts apparently brought him 16 counts of accepting bribes. He remains in office, but no longer could serve on any committee.

In his own words, Mr. Fatani writes: Normally, politicians with pending criminal cases do voluntarily resign to protect his/her party and the whole nation as well.?

Exactly, thank you Mr. Fatani for making my point: to protect his/her party and the whole nation as well. And that is protection from what? It seems to me that the Matangi Tonga editorial calls for the same justice in Tonga as in America: To protect us all from unethical and dishonest politicians.

Secondly, 'pending criminal cases,' I'm assuming you are referring to 'indictments,' am I right? In the U.S., an indictment is handed down by a grand jury. In other British systems, it is handed down by the Attorney General, after a judge determines there is enough evidence to prosecute.

Our leaders in government (which includes Peoples Representatives who are lawmakers) are held to a higher standard of conduct than Mr. Ordinary Citizen. Leaders are in responsible positions, and they can easily use their authority unjustly. It is the same in Tonga as it is in America.

Yes, Mr. Ordinary Citizen is innocent until proven guilty; but Mr. Public Official has lost the 'public trust' until he can prove his innocence. Even then, that cloud of distrust will always be with Mr. Public Official. Who can forget the burning scenes of Nuku'alofa?

Sorry Mr. Fatani. Nobody is condemning anyone without due process. Tonga is a law-and-order country. The indicted Peoples Representatives have made their beds; now they have to sleep in them.

Sione A. Mokofisi