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Results for Letters

Wednesday 26 March 2008
USA
With the gavel being dropped and the decision to have the Minister of Tourism work without pay for three months, one can only wonder whether this whole process was "just", and if there was real justice in the process. - Tama Foa
Tuesday 25 March 2008
New Zealand
I am proud to say that the Hon. Minister of Tourism Fineasi Funaki is my tokoua since our late paternal grandmothers were sisters. I wish I had the opportunity to give him a brotherly advise that could have prevented the issues at hand. My advice would have been to deposit the check in the department's account and loan the department the amount they needed from his own personal account to expedite the availability of the petty cash funds. - ‘Aisea Tu‘ikolovatu
Tuesday 25 March 2008
Australia
I always support the US system of Government's 'separation of power and restricted over lapse', despite the fact that there are still some fragments lying around to collect. That system cannot be healthy or work in all forms of government but it can test any governing body's competency; prevent maladministration and provide fair ruling procedure. - Sam ‘Anamanu
Monday 24 March 2008
UK
The Prime Minister of Tonga explained to us all the meaning of "One rule for the rich and one rule for the poor" when he was interviewed by Katalina Tohi regarding the Auditor General's Final Report re: Corruption allegation against the Minister of Tourism. - Senolita Swan
Sunday 23 March 2008
San Francisco,California, USA
In regard to your article, "Tongan Cabinet Minister ordered to work in bondage " on March 20 2008, one of the reasons why the Prime Minister is ordering Hon. Fineasi Funaki " to work without pay for three months " is that " his practice was illegal." - Siosaia Fatani
Saturday 22 March 2008
San Mateo, California, USA
After reading your report of the penalty dealt by the Prime Minister to the Minister of Tourism for breaking the law; it seems the good ol' boy fraternity-network is alive and well in our humble kingdom. At least the perception is so. If the current leaders in Tonga cannot recognize nor acknowledge the face of corruption when confronted by it, can we expect accountability or transparency from them? After observing the handling of the investigation from the start to the concluding announcement by the PM, it makes an outside observer wonder if the leaders of Tonga have the ability to reflect on their actions of justice. - ‘Alipate Sanft
Saturday 22 March 2008
Australia
The controversial 'Hu Loiifi' we recently witness is only a direct product of the current political force that swallows up the Kingdom. We were contributing directly or not to the circumstances that made that ancient ritual to pop up in our contemporary way of life, belief and time. Most of us obviously have different in ideas and of course entitle to a point of view on the issue, but I like to draw our attention to the very factors of intention that made the recent so-called 'Hu Louifi' happen. - Kris Halatokoua
Thursday 20 March 2008
Pago Pago, American Samoa
I stand corrected Tu'ikolovatu. The Hu lou ifi is one of our most sacred ritual (ordinance), a simple matter of interpretation. The recent Hu lou ifi by the people of Mu'a makes a mockery of this ritual. - Sione Lousiale Kava
Tuesday 18 March 2008
USA
Although my candidacy for this year's election for parliament was prematurely terminated due to a sudden attack of common sense, deep down in my heart, I still feel I am the best candidate to represent the people of Ha'apai. It is unfortunate Ha'apai must wait until my candidacy in the next election of two thousand and whenever I have a chance to regain my citizenship. I am still agonizing whether to spent my money on coming to Tonga and reclaim my citizenship or sent that money to relatives as remittance to help the economy. If you were in my feet (shoes), I am walking bare feet now since I sent my shoes to Tonga so my nephew can have shoes for school. - Tama Foa
Sunday 16 March 2008
UK
Land ownership: the main issue behind the delay in the China loan: As one of only a few Tongans who spoke publicly against the loan from China, the news about the Land ownership issue is one of few items of great news to come out of Tonga recently. It is a blessing in disguise for Tonga and her people. Who would have thought it - the Father of Modern Tonga - King Siaosi Tupou I and His Constitution, His vision and love for his people has emerged from the past to rescue his Kingdom and his people from making the biggest mistake in Tongan history. - Senolita Swan
Friday 14 March 2008
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Please allow me to comment on Mafi o Amerika Samoa's letter dated 13 March 2008 regarding the recent Hu Lou ifi ritual. -'Aisea Tu'akihekolo Tu'ikolovatu
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Thursday 13 March 2008
Pago Pago, American Samoa
Kataki mu'a 'o anga lelei ke fokotu'u 'eku tohi ma'ulaloni ke fakahoko atu 'eku kau mo e tokolahi he fiefakaha 'e mau loto mamahi 'i hono ngaue hala 'aki 'e tau ngaahi ouau toputapu ko e Hu Louifi. -Mafi 'o Amerika Samoa
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Tuesday 11 March 2008
Belgrade, Serbia
On 17 February 2008 in South-Eastern Europe, the Serbian Southern province of Kosovo declared independence from the Republic of Serbia, and self proclaimed the new Republic of Kosovo. - Ivan Simic
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Friday 29 February 2008
California, USA
The highly contested parliamentary seats is an exciting story with 71 candidates competing for the 9 seats available. The democratic process will bring to the forefront those candidates that the people wish to be their government representatives. This is the time when those in government (current 9 representatives) will answer to the people. - Thomas M. Uata
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Thursday 28 February 2008
Nuku‘alofa, Tonga
I am writing to you in the hope that you can assist me with a piece of Tongan history. Between 1971 and 1982, the first M/v Olovaha sailed the Tongan Islands acting as a ferry and cargo ship. I actually served on this ship when she was in Australia under the name Queen of the Isles. - Andy Newland
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Thursday 28 February 2008
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Tama Foa highlighted the ills of Ambassador Dinger's "horny" diplomacy, 220 sailors from the USS Reuben James FFG57 presented as tokens of U.S. appreciation. But I don't think their contribution to the local economy can be denied: Tama Foa may have visited the Great State of Nevada which has legalized prostitution and gambling and citizens are benefiting handsomely, thank you. - Sione Mokofisi
Friday 22 February 2008
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga-Now website was initially set up in 2005 as one of the outreach programmes of the Reform Information Office located within the Ministry of Finance. The Reform Information Office itself was established as part of the Government's Economic and Public Sector Reform Programme (EPSRP) that started in 2002. - Information Office, Government of Tonga
Monday 18 February 2008
USA
The problem with people like me who knows nothing about anything is: we tend to make a lot of speculations from respectable people's opinions. After reading the article about the US Ambassador's (Mr. Larry M. Dinger) comments in his recent visit to the kingdom, it left a lot of room for me to read between the lines.- TamaFoa
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Thursday 7 February 2008
USA
My friends, we are at a crossroad where the inhabitants of the kingdom must have a "Come to Jesus" huddle and an honest to God assessment of her dire economic situation and look hard for a solution to prevent our kingdom from insolvency. Based on Honorable Matoto's assessment of our economy, the kingdom is technically on economic welfare (remittance and foreign aid). - Tama Foa
Tuesday 5 February 2008
Neiafu, Vava'u
I believe the proposal of Nautilus Minerals Tonga Inc. is a great Idea. - Heinz Koester

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