By Pesi Fonua

Prince Tungi headed a seven-member Tongan delegation in a brief visit to Samoa and American Samoa yesterday, Wednesday October 7 to convey the condolences of Tonga's king and people to the leaders and the people of Samoa and American Samoa for the loss of many lives following last week's tsunami.

The young Prince and his delegation were welcomed in Apia at the residence of the Head of State of Samoa, with a traditional Samoan kava ceremony before meeting, His Highess Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese and his wife.

Prince Tungi said that Tonga's most northern island of Niuatoputapu suffered a loss of life from the tsunami that had also struck Samoa, "Samoa suffered so much more, and I am deeply saddened by this great loss, my heart goes out to the victims and the people of Samoa during this difficult time. I would like to convey a sincere condolences from the king, the government, and the people of Tonga."

HH Tupua Tamasese reminded the prince, "You are a family member and you are coming to us more as a family rather than for government to government.

"Tonga was also affected, it is less damage than Samoa, but nevertheless . . . you are coming so soon after the event to express your condolences. There is also a message here, you a Tongan prince, a Tongan by paternity, but by maternity, you are Samoan.

"I am speaking for the government and I want you to pass that on to HM the king that we are very grateful. Not withstanding that we don't see each other as much as we like, we share in our thoughts and you added to this by this visit."

$500,000 donation

Prince Tungi went on to meet the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Tuilaepa Luesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, and conveyed the condolences from the king, the government and the people of Tonga, before handing the Samoan Prime Minister a letter and a cheque for $TOP500,000 from the Prime Minister of Tonga, Dr Feleti Sevele.

Prince Tungi said that Tonga's donation was just a small token to accompany the sincere condolences of the king, the government and the people of Tonga for Samoa's tsunami disaster.

Prime Minister Luesoliai was very grateful for the gesture and said the message of condolences from the king and people of Tonga would be read out during the mass burial day of the tsunami disaster on Thursday, (Samoan Time).

Hon. Alaileula Tuku'aho, also conveyed to the Prime Minister a suggestion from the Princess Regent Princess Pilolevu Tuita for the Samoan government to ease the restrictions on the importation of agricultural products, such as Tongan yams and watermelons, to prop up the food supply of Samoa and the Prime Minister said he would look into it.

later in the day the Tongan delegation flew to Pago Pago, American Samoa, to meet the Governor of American Samoa, HE Tongiola T. A. Tuilafono.

Prince Tungi conveyed the condolences of the king, the government and the people of Tonga, and presented the governor with a cheque for $TOP100,000.

The Governor asked Prince Tungi to convey to the king his sincere gratitude. He also expressed a view that Prince Tungi's visit both on the government and blood relation level. He said that some of his ancestors who went out to sea many years ago ended up in Niuatoputapu, and that the Fuimaono people of Niuatoputapu are his relatives.

The Tongan delegation including Hon Alaileula Tuku'aho, Hon Albert T. Vaea, Tatafu Moeaki, Me Afu Taumoepeau, and Sesi Moala, and Pesi Fonua from Matangi Tonga Online, returned to Tonga this morning.