A new Peace Plan [1]
Monday, December 17, 2007 - 06:48. Updated on Thursday, June 19, 2014 - 17:30.
Editor,
I had a Nightmare, about “I had a dream” Harder's Peace Plan":
"I have observed great turmoil and frustration about the land as families turn against each other and the country as a whole is further torn apart by pro-democracy and pro-monarchy supporters being unable to reconcile their differences."
I had for a moment thought that Mr. Harder was talking about Iraq or Africa where sectarian and tribal differences escalate into a full fledged struggles for survival. It is also clear that this troubled Lawyer has quickly been absorbed into the mentality and rhetorical language like a megaphone for 'Akilisi, 'Uliti Uata, Clive Edwards, Lepolo Tanusila, 'Isi Pulu and the Pangai Si'i mob.
The portrayal of the Kingdom of Tonga given by Mr. Harder is conducive for their case. To continue to perpetuate an image on lawlessness and social turmoil that the security forces and the general public in Tonga has snuffed out within days of it happening, is getting to be like a good "fananga" now.
It was also clear [Mr Harder] from your tirade that you have committed the mortal sin of simplistically categorizing the whole of Tonga into a pro-democracy and pro-monarchy divide. While in reality, it is only the Pangai Si'i Mob, the power hungry parliamentarians who drove them to 16/11, the general public and the Justice System.
I have ceased to use pro-democracy in referring to 'Akilisi and his committee, for it is clear they have no idea of what it means.
And thank you [Mr Harder] for letting us know that this delusional politician and client is planning to interfere with the coronation. Tonga has a term for such activity, "fakafonuakovi" and knows how to deal with it when time comes. However, your listed responsibility cannot be completely discounted, for it will give yourself and your clients a reality check of what you are facing within the credible and well respected Justice System of the Kingdom; the mainstay of any democratic form of government, including Tonga's Constitutional Monarchy.
But surprisingly, from someone in the legal profession like yourself, what you are proposing, in short, amounts to asking the King to interfere with cases that are in the hands of the Justice System, a clear case of trying to pervert the course of justice. Because, the only possible motive for such a "peace plan" is to influence a possible jury into believing that there was an offer of a compromised settlement to the King from your clients. From your standpoint, any response from the King is irrelevant, to the purpose or the intended impact of your peace plan. The fact that you publicly made the offer is the point. What an appeal to emotion!
The question is, Does the outcome of the latest jury decision have anything to do with your proposal, Mr Harder? I have heard the organized crime sometimes attempts to influence the jury, but I have never seen it attempted on this scale. The offensive part is the assumed belief that in such a small island nation, you can get away with such legal and professional plunder. My humble advice is to spare your energy for the Law Society and the Supreme Court for your clients and the rest for your Biography.
And for your clients, it would have been an act of bravery demanded of every freedom fighter, if a single one of them were to stand forth and claim responsibility in the aftermath of 16/11. But to say a victory speech and deny responsibility leaving the mentally and morally intoxicated mob to bear the full force of the law and the justice system is an act of cowardice that only the opportunistics commit at this level of power play. That would also save this poor lawyer from delving in this kind of absurdity.
If Tonga is in turmoil, it is only the ordinary Tongans trying to make a living out of the escalated inflation, mostly as an outcome of the 60-70-80% PSA, the 60% Parliamentarians salary hike, and the destruction of most of the business sector.
Mr Harder, are your clients brave and big enough to claim responsibility? That is the issue. The only feasible Peace Plan is for the Parliamentarians to hand in their resignation to the King and start afresh next year.
Si'oto 'Ofa
'Inoke Fotu Hu'akau