We have observed an interesting trend in previous candidates competing for a place in parliament. They are as fierce as lions when campaigning with their out-spokenness, yet as soon as they get into parliament, it almost seems like someone had clipped their tongues like a wet bus ticket on the way in.
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Friday 18 February 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
Tuesday 15 February 2005
1 comment
Auckland, New Zealand
Although once touted as the country having the most PhD graduates/tertiary graduates per capita in the world, it remains puzzling how the Kingdom of Tonga has been lagging behind in so many aspects of government, society, law, business, religion and economics etc., for so long now.
Thursday 10 February 2005
6 comments
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The approach by government to appoint four cabinet ministers from the 18 elected members of the House this year has given a new dimension to Tonga's 2005 parliamentary election. Now, in effect, an elected member of the "opposition" may cross the floor to become a member of the cabinet. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua,
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Tuesday 8 February 2005
Honolulu, Hawaii
Congratulations on 14 million hits in 2004. It is quite exciting to read all letters to the Editor and all individual opinions. - M. T. Tuaileva
Monday 7 February 2005
California, USA
Clive Edwards was for eight years the most active and public critic of Tonga's pro-democracy movement even succeeding, at times, in jailing pro-democracy Members of Parliament. Now, however, he wants to join them as one of the nine Commoner MPs. How can someone who has spent close to a decade trying to keep the people out of Parliament suddenly claim that he is one of the commoners now? It's all a ploy to get back into a position of power so as to finish a lot of what he started earlier in his career. - Siane Tu‘ione
Friday 4 February 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
When I became Minister, Kalafi Moala's little newspaper attacked me weekly for a period of nine years. These attacks have come in the form of nasty, personal letters to the Editor and articles which were all prepared by Kalafi Moala and his staff. ...His obsession for personal revenge is making him a fanatical campaigner. - Clive Edwards.
Thursday 3 February 2005
San Francisco, USA
In Response to Tupou Layton: ‘To demand respect you must earn respect'. Reading your letter, I couldn't decide if you were simply trying to put HRH Tupouto'a in his place or if you were auditioning for NBC's The Apprentice. -Siane Tui'one
Wednesday 2 February 2005
London, UK
I have been reading all the discussions with great sadness. Our Crown Prince has all the right to defend himself and Clive has all the right in the world to say what he wants to say. What is missing here is the people, the poor loyal servants of the island Kingdom, the "Paradise of the Pacific". - S. Vaiangina
Tuesday 1 February 2005
New York, USA
To respond to the Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto'a's comments about my honest opinions on his behalf, I would say " To Demand Respect You Must Earn Respect" whether you are a member of royals, nobles or leaders, you must show commpassion and respect to your own people. -Tupou Layton
Monday 31 January 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kingdom Air Services Limited was a company formed by five local business men (including two former Royal Tongan pilots now both working overseas and myself) in conjunction with a significant offshore investor, to apply for a domestic air services license following the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines in March 2004. The local shareholders were to hold only a minority interest (25% between them) in the company. -Steve Edwards
Monday 31 January 2005
California, USA
We have just returned from Tonga after two months 'eva and it was one of the most interesting and enjoyable times I've ever had, living a bit far away from the capital at one of the villages, and looking at how people in Tonga handle and are perceiving political and social happenings in our Kingdom. - Fuai'api Sime
Friday 28 January 2005
Kolofo'ou, Tonga
The heavy artillery for the ongoing misleading assault was provided by the former Minister of Police who also signed the agreement that transferred the operations of the Tonga Electric Power Board to Shoreline, while he was in government. - Sitiveni Finau
Friday 28 January 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The lengthy explanation of HRH Tupouto'a confirms in detail his knowledge of what was going on, his involvement and participation. These explanations contradict what he previously said viz: ...."I was opposed to the anti-media laws on the grounds that they were not our style of doing things in this country".... How can HRH be opposed when he allowed the Bills to go through and presided over meetings where he gave advice and directions on how to maintain a united front to secure enactment of the Bills? - Clive Edwards.
Friday 28 January 2005
Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands
Why are we still exporting vanilla beans in its raw form, squash in green form, fish, seaweeds, Kava, and many more? We can easily process them and export to earn higher value (value adding). Why are we importing frozen fruits and vegetables, frozen meat, etc? Processing and preservation of these products can be easily done in Tonga. We need to invest more in applied research and product development.-Edgar Cocker
Tuesday 25 January 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There is no confusion on my part as to what transpired in the Cabinet Meetings and I shall leave it at that. The only other witnesses are the other Cabinet Ministers and I have no intention of dragging them into this debate because I do not need their help to defend myself from the likes of Clive Edwards. - hrh
Tuesday 25 January 2005
1 comment
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In the Privy Council Meeting which was held before the vote over the Media Bills were about to come up in Parliament, I alluded to the fact that that this had become a cause célèbre among large sections of the public and I knew that there was dissent within the Cabinet ranks. ... Clive Edwards made an impassioned submission in support of the legislation. hrh
Tuesday 25 January 2005
3 comments
Saipan, Northern Marinanas Islands
Did Clive Edwards really have power to intimidate commoners? Was it really a power or was it a "Kakala Pe"? That essence has just gradually faded away as time goes by. -Edgar Cocker
Monday 24 January 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
After Government had lost the first set of actions against it by the media, it looked at the Prohibited Publications Act and the Customs Act. I recall what was said and it’s a matter of words whether it was proposed, suggested, implanted or hinted that Government should look at the American situation on the media and adopt it here. After that, Crown Law engaged Senior Counsel from overseas to put in place what would be appropriate legislations. - Clive Edwards
Monday 24 January 2005
1 comment
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Regrettably I must again write to inform you of another of Clive Edwards's lies. He said to you that I had announced that there was a plot for a coup by some ministers. The real story is as follows. - hrh
Friday 21 January 2005
4 comments
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
I read in Clive Edwards's interview that he accused me of proposing the Media Operator's Act. This is wholly untrue but as Edwards is running for parliament his wild accusations are, I suppose, understandable. I was opposed to the anti media laws on the grounds that they were not our style of doing things in this country. - hrh
