British HC praises efforts of Tongans working towards modern ideals [1]
Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 14:43. Updated on Thursday, May 1, 2014 - 20:04.
Even in Tonga the reality of the 21st Century is ever present and cannot be ignored, the British High Commissioner to Tonga, Mr Paul Nessling told guests at reception to celebrate the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, at the British High Commission in Nuku'alofa on June 10.
Also attending the event was Sir Douglas Graham on behalf of the Commonwealth Secretary General, and a visiting parliamentary delegation from New Zealand.
Mr Nessling said that some of Britain's priorities in this world today included:
- A world safe from global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction;
- An international system based on the rule of law, which is better able to resolve disputes and prevent conflicts;
- Sustainable development, underpinned by democracy, good governance and human rights;
- Protection of our country from illegal immigration, drug trafficking and other international crime;
- Promotion of our economic interests in an open and expanding global economy;
- An effective European Union in a secure neighbourhood
Mr Nessling thanked and acknowledged a number of people who are making significant contributions to the development of such ideals in Tonga today, and he said these included the Prime Minister and the King. "Tonga has been the most pro-active of small Pacific Island states in taking the lead and supporting UN Security Council Resolutions on terrorism and related issues. He and Tonga's Defence Services and Police are to be congratulated on their regional contribution within the Solomon Islands. The UK, with the USA, Australia and our other allies are grateful for Tonga's commitment of troops for Iraq."
Mr Nessling also noted the para-legal training work done by Betty Blake, and a team from Fiji to ensure that the population has access to free basic legal advice and information about their rights and responsibilities. "I hope that we will be able to build on this and that Government will give serious consideration to becoming a signatory of CEDAW, thus giving additional protection to the rights of women and children in Tonga."
He said the UK had given assistance to the Tonga Media Council in the past year. " We note the considerable progress being made by the Media Council ."
Other projects the UK had been involved with included funding a police campaign that was closely targeted to combat the dangers posed by the increasing sale and use of amphetamines; major funding for the first Youth Parliament that focused on employment; funding that had enabled the launch by the Peace Corps of an inter-island micro-finance scheme to help young people to develop business opportunities; provision of IT equipment, reference books and shelving for a library for Parliamentarians; and support and assistance to The Ironman Ministry in its work helping the increasing number of deportees integrate into Tongan society.
Mr Nessling said that HRH Crown Prince Tupouto'a was in the UK, and had a private audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on June 11. "This will be followed by a private lunch hosted by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in our historic building in Whitehall. This is an acknowledgement of the long, strong and warm relationship between our Royal Families and peoples".