By okaili | No Comments
Last updated: Friday, March 28, 2008

(Disclaimer:This was an earlier article written by freelance writer Sara Taukolonga from the UK.)

On 27 November, 2007, the High Commissioner of Tonga to the UK, H.E. DR Sione Ngongo Kioa and Mrs Victorina Kioa invited the Tongan community in Britain to meet the Prime Minister of Tonga, HON. DR Feleti Vaka ‘Uta Sevele, by hosting a reception at the official residence of the Tongan High Commission in the UK.

The Prime Minister addressed Tongans and answered questions on developments in Tonga including dual nationality and
land rights for women.

“Part of my job as Prime Minister and my colleagues in Government is to meet the Tongan community in Tonga and overseas to find out what they would like to see happening in Tonga and exchange ideas” explained Dr Feleti Vaka ’Uta Sevele.

The Prime Minister had just attended a three day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which opened
on 23 November, 2007 in the Ugandan capital of Lampala, east Africa. 48 countries of the 53 nation-group were present, 36 of whom were represented by their Heads of State or Government.

“Two important things came out of the Commonwealth Meeting“ reflects Dr Feleti Vaka ‘Uta Sevele. “ One was climate change, which is particularly important for small islands. The Commonwealth is taking a hard-line on it and it was very interesting that Gordon Brown was there pushing that agenda in a similar way as the new Prime Minister of Australia. It is something we cannot ignore.”

“The second issue is the small island states in terms of trade and the WTO because we have to move towards the guidelines, the rules of the WTO, at the same time we need to ensure that the small island states don’t suffer disproportionately as a result.”

Dr Feleti Vaka ‘Uta Sevele was asked about Tonga’s relationship with the UK. The British High Commission in Tonga closed in March 2005 after 185 years presence. He said:

“The relationship is still as strong as it ever was, pity that they are no longer there. Fortunately we have got our High
Commissioner here [in Britain], much of our laws are based on the English system. We will continue to value that relationship.”

“The EU is big player in the Pacific, in terms of influence and developmental assistance, the UK is very much among the leaders of the EU so it is important for us, apart from the fact that the two royal households have a history that dates back decades.”

When asked about his time in office as Prime Minister he referred to the violence that erupted in the streets of Nuku‘alofa in November 2006; with steely determination and confidence he said;

“There have been sad moments, the highlight is the knowledge that we will turn what has been a difficult situation into something where we Tongans will show our metal and rebuild a stronger, renewed Tonga with all the values of the old Tonga. It was an aberration but it allows us to rebuild a Tonga that will look back at what has happened and say ‘hey this is not what we should be‘.”

“We used to be the conquerors of the Pacific, we led in education, in religion, and I want to get that back. I reckon we will.”

Sara Taukolonga

CommentSubscribe