TONGA is sending four contingents of soldiers to Afghanistan to support the Western Allied War on Terror. The Tongan Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele in an interview before he left for the Pacific Islands Forum on August 2 said that Tonga was responding to a request by Britain, its former protector. Tonga has previously supported requests from both the USA and the UK for soldiers to fight their battles overseas and Tongan soldiers went to both world wars and also to Iraq. But this time Dr Sevele says "let's not kid ourselves that is all plain sailing."

By Pesi Fonua

Pesi - What is Tonga's position with regards to the war in Afghanistan? Are we simply going there for economic benefits or as a member of the Western Alliance, fighting to protect Western interests, amid the fact that some members of the Western Alliance are withdrawing their troops from Afghanistan?

Dr Sevele - I think that is correct that some are moving out, and some people are saying that we should not be going in. It is a bit like Iraq, some were withdrawing, but the United States asked us to go in.

In perspective let's look at what we have been doing since World War I. We had people involved in World War I, not too many but there were some. World War II, certainly many more. In the Solomons, [Tonga's] former Prime Minister Baron Vaea was involved with the New Zealand Air Force and, of course, the late Queen Salote at the time went around throughout the whole of Tonga raising funds with which we bought three Spitfires and donated them to Great Britain, as our contribution to the coalition of the Western Allies.

Great Britain was, of course, the protector of Tonga from 1900 to 1970. While an independent nation, our Foreign Affairs were handled by Britain and they also helped us with some of our Economic and Education development.

It is not an unusual situation for us to get involved in Afghanistan if people know the history of how we got involved in major wars and regional conflicts. We also got involved in Bougainville, and RAMSI in the Solomon Islands.

This [Afghanistan] I guess, is another dimension of our sending our troops overseas. It may be more dangerous, but the boys will be going, once we sort out a few remaining issues with the British. They will be all volunteers; no one is forced to go.

Pesi- The time is for two years?

Dr Sevele - Two years for four contingents. You are looking at a maximum of six months per contingent.

There is always a possibility [of extension]. The defence Services' senior people are saying this is a good thing for them, providing training and exposure. So far we have been very lucky. We have had no fatalities in Iraq, and hopefully we will have the same outcome here, but let's not kid ourselves that is all plain sailing. I am glad that this was explained clearly to the House, and the House took a unanimous vote on that so I guess all we can do now is to pray that no one will come back in a way other than the way they are going out.

Pesi - The War on Terror in Afghanistan is a 'must win' war, but in recent months there is an element of doubt because of the high toll of casualties by the Western Forces. Since Tonga made the commitment to go to Afghanistan does that mean that we are going to be there until victory is attained?

Dr Sevele - No, no. The broad understanding that there is deployment of four contingents, one after the other, but there is an exit clause in the agreement by which we would be able to leave if we discover that dangers are too much for us, or if we find that the casualties are more than we expected. We can pull out.

Pesi - By going to Afghanistan, are we putting Tonga's national security at risk, by becoming a target for terrorist organisations?

Dr Sevele - We have considered that and those on the ground, our Western Allies have indicated to us there will always be a risk but they do not think there is going to be a significance risk for us. There are 30 or 40 NATO nations there and some of them are closer to Afghanistan and the Taliban than us. So nothing in this respect is 100% certain, and there is always the danger.

Pesi - When we went to Iraq, we were with the Americans, but with Afghanistan we are going in there with the British and we will be under British command. Why is the shift?

Dr Sevele - We will be under British Command, and they are funding our deployment there, I really don't know why, but definitely the British observed how our boys conducted themselves in Iraq, because they were there securing the main headquarter of the forces of the Coalition countries and from what I gathered, the British were very impressed with our guys and this time I think the Americans thought they had enough but the British wanted us to come and assist them.

Pesi - The boys who went to Iraq, are some of them will be part of this contingent?

Dr Sevele - I am not too sure of the details, but I think one or two of them will be going.

Pesi - Will there be a marked difference between the Iraq and the Afghanistan?

Dr Sevele - I think they will be very similar, because they are going in to provide security in one particular area but now they will be under joint command of British and Tongans. The overall head will be British.

Pesi - Did we have any diplomatic relationship with Afghanistan?

Dr Sevele - No, not that I know of. Afghanistan is a challenge, but according to the Defence Services this to them is a challenge. And of course there is always the possibility, and that is what we told the Brits that when they come again to recruit from the Commonwealth that we should be given what they gave Fiji. Of the military personnel that they have recruited from the Commonwealth countries, they were able to get 5,000, 3,000 from Fiji. Quite a significant figure. If that is reopened, we wanted our boys recruited.

Pesi - So this could open up a whole lot?

Dr Sevele - We never know. The possibility is there, and we will keep pushing for it.