Editor,

As one who had criticized American commitment to Tonga on these pages in recent past, let me propose a toast and give credit where credit is due:

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Tonga Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele should receive the honorary Medal of Humanitarian Services for working out the details of this wonderful gift approving the funds for a U.S. Consulate Tonga Branch (US Consular...Feb. 6, 2009).

No longer will our kainga who wish to come to the States be forced to spend money they do not have on a trip to Fiji. The U.S. Government is incurring the additional costs, and we are thankful.

Tonga's sacrifices in the U.S. Iraq War are paying off. A tiny Kingdom but we showed our grits and true friendship when the late King Taufa‘’ahau Tupou IV answered America's plea to help spread democracy in the world.

Ironically, Tonga is frowned upon being a non-democratic country, but we helped America and her friends spread democracy. Iraq now has a democratic government. Tongans everywhere should be proud; when it comes to defending the ideals of democracy, we are no strangers.

I am still hopeful Dr. Sevele can ask for more like temporary work visas for Tongans to come to the States.

Sione A. Mokofisi

samokofisi [at] hotmail [dot] com