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Friday 16 February 2007
Wellington, New Zealand
With the Solomon Islands claiming Australia is a meddling regional bully, defence ties with Fiji cut following the fourth military coup in 19 years and the state of emergency poised to be extended in Tonga, John Howard has his hands full in the Pacific, The Age reports.
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Thursday 15 February 2007
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three months after the Nuku'alofa Central Business District was destroyed by a mob on November 16, 2006, very little reconstruction work has begun. Photos by Linny Folau
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Thursday 15 February 2007
Sopu 'o Taufa (Israel),Tonga
Please add on my letter to the interesting debate raised by Joe Smith. I heard the comment on TV as Defence is allowed to cap their strength at 1500. They still have to ask for their budget, so the question is how much Tonga can afford and how Tonga need. With all the great ideas the weakness of Joe's argument is based on his bottom line. - Sione Talateu
Wednesday 14 February 2007
Pago Pago, Amerika Samoa
The Tonga Defense Force deserve more credits than what it has been dealt lately. Joe Smith, after 20 years in the US armed Forces is missing the point here. The Tonga Defense Force is better compared to its equivalent as the National Guard in the United States armed Services System. Their mission is quite similar. - Sione Lousiale Kava
Wednesday 14 February 2007
Salt lake city, Utah,USA
I used Fiji and Samoa because they face about the same level of external threat as Tonga (basically none). They are in the same geographical region and share many similarities. I threw in the USA, who is a major super power engaged in a war, to demonstrate the absurdity of the size of the TDS. I used published numbers on population, GDP and military size to add facts to my argument. - Joe Smith
Tuesday 13 February 2007
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's national rugby team the 'Ikale Tahi finally qualified to participate in the 2007 Rugby World Cup on Saturday, February 10 after thrashing South Korea 85-3 at the Waitemata Park, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Tuesday 13 February 2007
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Defence Services TDS has issued a public warning that they will use "lethal force (force causing death)" to apprehend anyone who uses weapons such as axes, knives and firearms to threaten the safety of the public.
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Tuesday 13 February 2007
Pahu,Tongatapu
I was interested in one of the letters from Mr Kavaha'apai where he touched very briefly on what is expected of our representatives, and their important roles and the impact of their roles on us, the people that they represent. This is an important and much relevant issue for us commoners. We must understand what qualities do we want our people's representatives to have and what we want our representatives to do in parliament, considering the paths we came and where we are now and the political climate that is prevailing in the country at the moment. - Losena Vai
Monday 12 February 2007
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan government will not wait forever for the Peau Vava'u Airways to get its service back on air, according to Viliami Ma'ake, the Acting Secretary and Director of Tonga's Ministry of Civil Aviation.
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Monday 12 February 2007
During the past months and in the process of rebuilding our own organisation, we have been trying to find ways to improve our news services to our many readers from all over the world. Just last week we have introduced a system whereby the content of the Matangi Tonga Online is divided into three categories: Premium Content, Delayed Premium Content and Free Content.
Sunday 11 February 2007
Mangere, New Zealand
It is very important to accept the fact that Shorelines has made a big different to the reliability of power generation and distribution. We should also understand the fact that we cannot control the oil price and the price of oil has been sky high by more than 200% during the last 2 decades and to be reasonable, the rates of tariff increase is acceptable. -David Tapiaka
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Sunday 11 February 2007
Sydney, Australia
Joe Smith has raised some interesting questions on the above, supported by some equally interesting comparisons. I do not support his comparison of the TDS to that of Samoa's, Fiji's and the US' based only on the total population. One should therefore go beyond the total population and to look at other socio-political, security and economic factors that justify having an army. Perhaps GIGO would rightly apply to Smith's comparison. - Sione Fifita
Sunday 11 February 2007
UK
Do you know how much the Government sold the old TEPB for? I am only curious because if Shoreline was floated on the Stock Exchange, we would end up with thousands of shareholders, not two, unless of course a deal was struck between the two shareholders and the Government. - Senolita Swan
Sunday 11 February 2007
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Major Lieutenant Col. Fakalolo stated in an article at tonga-now.to that the TDS (Tonga Defense Service) would be growing to 1500 personnel. The tonga-broadcasting.com also had a recent article about the TDS receiving weapons and ammunition from the US Army. - Joe Smith
Saturday 10 February 2007
Suva, Fiji
Why need the $2 million from government when its directors are receiving hefty salaries. I trust that the money they need is to pay for fuel and not foot the salary of its directors. That would be the biggest crime against Tongan taxpayers. A writer to the editor in response to my last letter wrote that we elect representatives to speak on our behalf. - Freddy Kavaha‘apai
Saturday 10 February 2007
Kolofo'ou,Tongatapu
Many thanks for the opportunity to continue sharing comments with your readers. Just a short response to Lady Swan and Joe Smith. I believe Swan must have floated to the north antarctica when Tonga power was floated in the international financial market. Of course, not one of the thousands of Tongans you quoted were interested in the power then. - Taasi Holiday
Friday 9 February 2007
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three protest leaders 'Akilisi Pohiva, Tu'i Uata and Semisi Sika pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing the police and abetting disobedience, at the Fasi Mo e Afi Magistrate's Court this morning, before Police Magistrate, Samiu Palu.
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Friday 9 February 2007
Salt Lake City-Utah, USA
In response to Taasi Holiday's letters concerning Shoreline. If Shoreline is so well managed: Why did they need $2M from the government? Why can you hear the crackle of power leaking from the lines when you walk around the island? - Joe Smith
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Friday 9 February 2007
UK
Thank you Mr Holiday for selling Shoreline, you are doing a very good job. Perhaps the King and his business partner should hire you to be their PR man. I am beginning to warm to the idea that the company is a good investment. -Senolita Swan
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Thursday 8 February 2007
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's plan to become a member of the World Trade Organisation WTO in July this year is now very doubtful, according to Paulo Kautoke, the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Labour Commerce and Industries.
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