Editor,

THE extraction of Ratu Tevita Mara from within Fiji waters is a game-changer just like the New York twin towers attack of 9/11 was. I am also from Lakeba the same island as Ratu Mara and also have relatives in Hoi, Nuku'alofa who regularly come to visit in Fiji. What I would like to impress upon your readers is that despite the low key treatment this episode has attracted in the general media, the general Fijian psyche would be severely affected. We did not expect this from our Tongan brothers.

Rescue protocol would have demanded you, at least, inform the Fijian authorities of the rescue. Tonga's attempt to downplay the severity of this saga by couching it as a simple sea rescue is not the Pacific way. We do not lie to each other. That is the palangi way of trying lie their way out of situations.

I am not sure what the Tongan authorities were trying to prove, but you sure have displayed a behaviour well outside the norms of international diplomacy and a great part of the goodwill built up over the years between our two countries may just have been squandered on this ill-though out expedition. I do hope in Tonga's calculations this illegal extraction was worth it.

Your Lord Tu'ivakano took a swipe against the Fijian judiciary. Is this the same judiciary he expects to protect Tongan nationals in Fiji who may now have to face the wrath of Fijians insulted by such cowardly actions? If your navy is patting itself on the back at such audacity in breaching Fiji's waters, then they should realise that breaching territorial waters is nothing, even the refugees from Afghanistan breach Australia's waters at times, but what they have done will have implications well into the future between our two countries.

Yours sincerely,

Mareko Vuli.

mvuli@hotmail, [1]

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