Letters
Letters
Ship-Shape Tonga
Malo e lelei and Greetings from the Kingdom of Tonga!
I am a regular reader of the Pacific Magazine and I must commend you on a job well done in terms of updating the Web site with fair and accurate news.
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I was reading the Government Briefs when I noticed a short brief on Tonga with regards to the circumstances that surround the international ship registry. Perhaps in order to portray a broader perspective, you may wish to mention the press release disseminated from the U.S. Embassy in February, recognizing Tonga’s cooperation in the global war against terrorism.
Attached is the aforementioned press release, forwarded for your information and further consideration.
Hon. Fane Tupou Vavavu Tuita
Nukualofa, Tonga
Via email from pmo@gov.to
Editor’s note: We contacted the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji and a spokesman there confirmed the press release. However, even though Tonga might be on board for the crusade against terrorism, all is still not well with Tonga’s flag of convenience ship registry. Radio Australia recently broadcast a story about the International Transport Workers Federation in Australia picketing a company called Intercontinental Ship Management, which operates Tonga-registered ships, which pay their (usually Pacific Islander) crew members about A$116 per month. Dean Summers, of the ITF, told RA, “The minimum an Australian seafarer would make is $1,300 a month. Most make between $40,000 and $50,000 per year. These are unhappy ships. The Tongan government made a big mistake with their flag of convenience.”
Come on!
Come on. The Tikopia story (February 2003) was a fine example of the press making a massive story basically about nothing. On the BBC, Professor Ogilvie, some New Zealand anthropologist with swear words as her forte, and Mackley milked it as a “disaster” for all it was worth. And when it all died down, Tikopians were alive and kicking and ready to rebuild. Just as many times before.
In fact, guys like Mackley really just hinder efforts because they are so worried about getting the story first they disregard the advantages of a united effort. His efforts only assisted the rumor mill which hinders official response.
And what about the logic. Say you built a house and you knew because of your location about every four years a bushfire would sweep through and burn you down. After the second fire would you rebuild? And in the 12th year, when it burnt down for the third time, would you expect sympathy?
Jason McIlvena
Pago Pago, American Samoa
Via email
