Highlights from Tonga's newspapers, October 22-25, 2007. An English translation summary by Tevita Fonua.

Fiji's Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama was the unlikely star of the Forum summit. The Kele'a reports that Bainimarama was welcomed with clapping and much acclaim at the opening ceremony.

In Vava'u, the Kalonikali on October 25 reports that the name Bainimarama was as well known as that of a candidate to parliament. He even went on a kava club crawl with Dr Feleti Sevele, drinking the local beverage at three different venues. That and his humility endeared him to the people of Vava'u. The Kalonokali reported that even before he alighted on Vava'u soil, the people of Feletoa had built a beautiful arch in his honour with the message, "We Love You Bainimarama".

Foreign Correpondents

The reaction of foreign journalists to their reception in Tonga was largely negative.

The Taimi on October 22 quoted Barbara Dreaver from TVNZ as saying that Tonga is the worst country she has ever worked in.

In terms of access to information, the Talaki quoted Sean Dorney, who described this year's summit as his worst. He has covered Forum meetings since 1987.

Huang Jianming from Xinhua News had no idea who was in charge of the media, for there appeared to be a plethora of bosses, each new face with new instructions.

Then came Thursday and the media centre was locked, leaving journalists to shelter under trees around Fa'onelua Park. A Fijian reporter said he had never been to a place where he was treated like an animal.

In Vava'u it was worse, reported the Kele'a. Journalists were ordered to stay in a single house. The toilet was in another and visits there were accompanied by a soldier.

Tofoa Temo

The Kele'a on October 24 wrote that the piece of land in Tofoa occupied by the committee for political reform has been christened by its former owner Tevita Ngungutau as "Temo". But Tevita has since suffered a reversal of fortune, according to the Taimi on October 25. He got a thrashing for swearing at his neighbours, and was jailed for that misdemeanour.