Hon. Sonatane Tu‘’akinamolahi Taumoepeau-Tupou, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence has been appointed as Tonga's new Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, the Tongan Ambassador to the United States, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela, and the Tongan High Commissioner to Canada.

The Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele announced the appointment in a special program with Television Tonga last night, April 15.

He said the Tonga Cabinet approved the appointment a few weeks ago and Tu'a will complete his term in office on May 1 and will replace HE Fekita 'Utoikmanu in New York.

Fekita's term as Tonga's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations ends this week and will take up her new position as the Deputy Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community SPC in Suva.

The Prime Minister said that a replacement for Tu'a will be announced at the earliest opportunity.

Tu'a was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in September 2004, on April 2005 he was appointed as the Acting Minister of Defence and on November 2005 was appointed as the Acting Governor for Vava'u.

During 2000-2004, Tu'a was Tonga's first Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador to the United States of America, Mexico, Chile, the Republic of Cuba, at the same time accredited as High Commissioner to Canada.

Tu'a has been in the Civil Service for 35 years, and during those years he became the first Secretary for Foreign Affairs in 1979 and from 1983-86 he was Tonga's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

CEO's

The Prime Minister also confirmed the appointments of three persons to the top jobs of Chief Executive Officers or Head of Departments.

Busby Kautoke has been appointed as Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, 'Aminiasi Kefu as Solicitor General and Dr Siale 'Akau'ola as Director of Health.

Meanwhile two other CEO positions of Secretary of Justice and Director of Tourism are still with the Public Service Commission, as work has not been completed, said the Prime Minister.