Tongan PM speaks of riot 'shame'
By Malenie Judy,WNS Pacific Bureau Chief
SYDNEY - Tongan prime minister Fred Sevele has described the recent violence over democratic reforms as "a day of shame". In an interview, he cited the need to restore law and order as his reason for appealing to Australia and New Zealand for extra soldiers and police. At least eight people died when crowds ransacked much of the centre of the Pacific nation's capital, Nuku'alofa. The city is now said to be calm. The unrest was sparked by concern about the slow pace of democratic reform. The government has now announced major changes ahead of elections in 2008.
In remarks broadcast by Australian radio on Sunday, the prime minister said he had no intention of stepping down."I never thought that the day would come where I see Tongans taking to the streets like that. It's a day of shame for us Tongans," Mr Sevele said. "My main concern is to look at what needs to be done to reconstruct Tonga, to bring back law and order into this society, and that is why we have asked Australia and New Zealand for some assistance." About 150 back-up soldiers and police officers have arrived in Tonga - Australia sent about 85 men, with New Zealand providing the remainder.
Australia's Prime Minister John Howard and his New Zealand counterpart Helen Clark announced the mission at a joint press conference in Vietnam, where they were attending a regional summit. "Being the largest and wealthiest countries in the region, part of our responsibility is to help," said Mr Howard. Many buildings in Nuku'alofa have been destroyed in the rioting, including the government and prime minister's offices, the power company, Nuku'alofa's only bank and a number of Chinese-owned shops. They have been agitating for political reform in a country where the king wields enormous power. The embattled government of Mr Sevele has now announced sweeping reforms, which it is hoped will soothe tensions, our correspondent says. The intervention by Australia follows similar action in the Solomon Islands and comes amid fears of a military coup in Fiji, our correspondent adds. Australia is concerned that trouble in the region could be exploited by extremists or drug traffickers.
posted by wnsworld @ 1:39 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home