THE Mara saga took the centre stage after he was rescued at sea and asked to be taken to Tonga instead of Fiji. Despite the effort of the Fijian government to expedite the extradition process, the Minister of Justice suggested that it is a long process and that has to be dealt with in due course.

I can barely recall that the Fijian government humbly cooperated in the past, each and every time the Tongan government files extradition order for runaway fraudsters and criminals. I guess the Minister of Justice already flick through the extradition file in his office and see how the Fiji government response to Tonga's numerous extradition request in professional manners and mutual respect of sovereignty.

The same Minister recently announced, before the Mara saga, that negotiation for reinstatement of trading arrangements with Fiji is underway and there are potentials for copra and other agricultural products to be exported to Fijian companies. The initiative was well received, as the Tongan ailing economy welcome every trading opportunity in the quest of moving the economy forward.

I have no doubt that the Bainimarama government already smell something fishy in the extradition process. At the same time, I guess Bainimarama himself must have felt the perfidy of his best neighbour. It is obvious that the Tongan government is playing some delay tactics in favour of Mara. But what about the economy and the trading negotiations with Fiji, as previously announced by the Tongan Minister of Justice?

Where is Tonga's priority – Economy or Mara? Is Tonga going to provide Mara with a safe haven and sacrifice the Tongan economy and her people? I am quite optimistic that Bainimarama would not retaliate by taking control of these trade negotiations. It is as easy as 1,2,3 for the Commodore's regime to disrupt any trade negotiations between Tonga and Fiji.

Hence, I am making this call to beseech for Bainimarama's forgiveness and understanding. Please, Bainimarama, Please, the ball is in the Tongan's side of the court, but the delay in returning the ball with a forehand needs someone with strong guts. The Minister of Justice and his legal team knows fully well that whoever make the first move to speed up the extradition process would get the Marching Order from King George for disturbing his cousin's peace of mind. Getting rid of the Wildcat is doable, but we need a Brave Mouse to hang the bell on to the cat's neck.

Bainimarama needs a Tonga/Fiji relationship based on loyalty and not royalty. C'mon Mara, return to Fiji and defend your innocence, for the truth will set you free.

Faka'apa'apa atu

Dr Fotu K.V. Fisiiahi

tofavaha03 [at] yahoo [dot] com