Editor,

Enough visits from U.S. Government officials to thank Tonga for her unselfish contribution to the wars in the Middle East (Chairman US Joint Chiefs . . . 10 Nov 2010). Admiral Michael Mullen should see the need to buildup the Tongan Defence Services for future services, and Tonga will always be a friend to the People of America, and England.

It's time to ask: "Where is the Beef America?" Tonga needs more than "thank yous." Tongans need jobs, they need training in economic opportunities like the Tongan Defence Services. How about building up the TDS 10 times bigger to train more young Tongans? And after their call of duty, these young Tongans have employable skills anywhere in the world.

TDF Needs Thousands Combat-Ready Trained

The TDS will always be ready to contribute to US, UK, and UN causes. But they need opportunities to be trained in Tonga, or overseas. How about allowing more VISAs for Tongans to travel to the US and join the US military immediately so they are not a burden like illegal immigrants from South of the Border.

If Tonga is worth praising for raising a world-class army with the limited resources she has, how will it be if thousands of young Tongans are trained to be ready for military service? Please, America, no more dignitaries visiting until we see the TDS built to train thousands of young Tongans to be combat ready anywhere in the world.

Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi

samokofisi [at] email [dot] phoenix [dot] edu