Since the end of the Cold War, the larger Western powers, the US and UK, started to lose interest in the Pacific. From a Western security perspective, the day-to-day management of the region was handed over to Australia and New Zealand. Unfortunately, in an increasingly multipolar world, all sorts of new foreign policy options are available. By Cleo Paskal.
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Results for politics
Tuesday 31 May 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Friday 14 January 2011
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tongatapu People's Representative Siosifa Tu'utafaiva has been voted by the House as the new Chairman of the Whole House Committee during this afternoon's session of the Tonga Legislative Assembly, following his unexplained absence during the morning.
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Wednesday 22 December 2010
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North Carolina, USA
I fear for the future of my adopted country when, after four years of supposed progress, it seems like nothing has really changed. I pray my pessimism is unfounded, and indeed that these elections will usher in a new government and a better future for Tonga. However, from a distance, it seems like the power remains in familiar hands, and that these hands have and will continue to be self serving, without the accountability that elected officials must show. - Scott Yurcheshen.
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Thursday 9 September 2010
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Visiting Tonga in early September an award-winning writer and geopolitical expert, Cleo Paskal, is looking closely at Tonga's political reform process in a country she says is "a remarkable, spectacular place" that is now in a unique situation of having to think through many of the fundamentals of an electoral process from scratch. - by Mary Lyn Fonua
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Wednesday 8 September 2010
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Brisbane, Australia
Surely, something is wrong with how the government relates to its senior legal professions. Two attorney generals and two judges ended their contract with the government in highly controversial fashion. - Tino Funaki.
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Thursday 1 July 2010
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Salt Lake City-Utah, USA
It is clear that Tongan leaders are neither bringing the Aristotlean Participatory Democracy model known as "the rule of the many." Nor do they plan for a Representative Democracy model (egalitarianism). - Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi.
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Sunday 8 November 2009
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Tofoa, Tongatapu
eading responses to the Parliament of Tonga's decision of CEDAW at Matangi Tonga attracts one to think deeper and dig deep about our modern cultures, where Christianity is the cornerstone of our nation's foundation. If our nation has no reservations other than 100% compliance with all articles of CEDAW, our government has whole heartedly won my support. -Kisione Taufa
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Saturday 7 November 2009
1 comment
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Pago Pago, American Samoa
A city was burnt and lives lost to force a more democratic Tonga. But now the Demo-Movement leaders will not ratify the CEDAW.
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Friday 10 July 2009
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Salt Lake City-Utah, USA
Tonga's so-called pro-democracy camp whined like spoiled brats who expected attention from the NZ PM's state visit NZ Prime Minister visits Tonga, 08 July, 2009), but who were left irrelevant in the cold. -Sione A. Mokofisi
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Saturday 20 June 2009
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Salt Lake City-Utah, USA
Your report (Fix it with flowers, 19 June, 2009) best illustrated the People's Representatives anti-growth mentality, lack of business knowledge, while salivating for Big Government to control business and finance. -Sione A. Mokofisi
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Thursday 11 June 2009
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Auckland, New Zealand
You have been uncomfortable with the push to implement the changes and never mind the consequences. This report shares your long-held view and congratulations. I am particularly impressed that the Commission recognized the need for a more informed electorate and that our communities need to be better informed so that they can better anticipate the changes and its impact on their lives. The wider concern over land tenure is a welcome surprise at this late stage. - Sefita Hao'uli
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Monday 1 June 2009
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Auckland, New Zealand
I must say I breathed a sigh of relief when I read the King's speech at the opening of parliament. I used to feel a mounting anxiety as 2010 drew closer and closer for the political reforms, and we had only just begun to see real changes to how things are run (e.g. great access to information with the new ministry web sites). -Josephine Latu
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Thursday 29 January 2009
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Belgrade, Serbia
History has it that there was not yet a single year without war in history known to a mankind, and that war has been fought since time immemorial. Therefore, the biggest question today would be: Is it really possible to end wars? -Ivan Simic
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Wednesday 7 January 2009
Belgrade, Serbia
In our World, there are lots of countries, nations, languages, religions, cultures, costumes but also lots of disagreements. History has it that there was never peace and respect among nations since the formation of the first State. From the beginning of the first conflict till date, wars have been fought for the same cause: political differences, trade, religion, liberation, dynasty, seizure of territory, the annihilation of a rival State, the destruction of the enemy's ability to prosecute military action, revolution or genocide. - Ivan Simic
Thursday 18 December 2008
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Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
Although I understand Joe Smith's example was to emphasize his point to forgive and forget things that have happened in the past, however, and for trivial knowledge sake - Samoa was always considered part of Tonga from the beginning. Only from Talaikaifaiki III (also known as Lomi'aetupu'a II) and his escape from Tuna and Fata, only then was Samoa considered independent for about 200 years. Kau'ulufonua Fekai then reconquered Samoa after this 200 year hiatus and the Tu'i Tonga actually lived out of Samoa for four consecutive generations only returning to Tonga once a year for the 'Inasi ceremony. - Daniel K. Fale
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Monday 15 December 2008
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San Francisco, USA
With respect to Mr Ivan Simic's freedom of speech rights, his last two letters of 12/01/08 and 12/08/08 to the Matangi Tonga were, in my opinion, very sad and unfortunate. I felt that they had some reflections of anger and hatred, especially towards the United States of America. Although I was reluctant and forced to be impressed by the details and statistics of his letters, I frankly gained little but mostly pains and regrets from them. As I was pondering over his letters, I also was wondering if he really knows that the United States of America did some good deeds to his country and people. -Siosaia Fatani.
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Monday 8 December 2008
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Belgrade, Serbia
would like to use this opportunity to reply to the letter "US saved Serbia from tyranny" written by Mr. M.T. Tuaileva.
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Monday 1 December 2008
1 comment
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Belgrade, Serbia
Since World War II many things have changed in the world, both in economy and warfare. - Ivan Simic.
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Tuesday 11 November 2008
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Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand's next Parliament will be the most ethnically diverse in its history - with MPs from communities which have never had representation in Parliament, including a television journalist from Korea and a former Fiji citizen. By Lincoln Tan
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Friday 7 November 2008
USA
A golden opportunity seems to be intentionally flushed down the drain. As our Parliament closed for the year, it is sickening to read about the charges and counter charges by both sides of the aisle. Of all the issues that are crucial to the kingdom, personal vendetta seems more important than setting the foundation for the Year 2010 political change. If there is corruption in Parliament, it is the corruption of broken promises during the election campaign; the corruption of leading the public to believe they have a plan regarding transition to democracy, yet they have none; the corruption of giving themselves a huge pay increase without blinking an eye and still call it pitiful compensation. - Tama Foa
