Fiji NGO wants applied Biketawa Declaration to ease tensions with Tonga - Radio New Zealand International

Posted at 07: 38 on May 23, 2011 UTC

Fiji citizens Constitutional Forum is asking for the Pacific Islands Forum to consider the possibility of starting the Biketawa Declaration to deal with the current diplomatic impasse of Fiji and Tonga.

Fiji waiting for a response from Tonga after sending his Prime Minister a request for the extradition of Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara, who is wanted on charges of sedition.

The Biketawa Declaration was agreed by countries of the Forum of the Pacific Islands in the year 2000 and outlines guiding principles for good governance and courses of action for a regional response to the crisis.

The citizens Constitutional Forum, the Reverend Akuila Yabaki, executive director said that there should be consensus between the two countries in any resolution.

"This is to stop what could be a likely deterioration of the historical relationship." He is people of status mainly, in this country, could involve the vanua, the military, and I think that we get to the issues of diplomatic relations, and it could be of quite peacefully.

Executive Director of the citizens, the Reverend Akuila Yabaki Constitutional Forum.

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Government of Tonga warns about the scam of "Kingdom of Hawaii" visa - Radio New Zealand International

Posted at 23: 37 on May 22, 2011 UTC

The Tongan Government has issued a warning to travelers to United States that visas issued by a group known as the "Kingdom of Hawaii" are not valid and it cannot be used for the entrance to the United States.

Quotes online of Taime Tonga, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the money collected by the Kingdom of Hawaii to the issuance of these visas can be part of a fraudulent scheme.

Tonga Assistant, Commander of the police, 'unga Fa' aoa, says police have passports with stamps of these visas from the "Kingdom of Hawaii".

He said that they had received complaints from people who are enfadadas for this visa fraud.

The Embassy of the United States in Suva, Fiji has confirmed that visas issued under the Kingdom of Hawaii are not valid.

It also said warned that anyone who tries to use these false visas to enter United States on Board of a plane of Tonga or any other country will not be permitted.

Reports of Tonga say that an officer from the Division of immigration was victim of the scam and who filed a formal complaint with the police.

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Cabinet of Tonga meet in Vava'u ' or for the first time - Radio New Zealand International

Posted at 07: 35 on May 23, 2011 UTC

Cabinet of Tonga is celebrating a refuge on the island of Vava'u ' u, the first time that he met in the capital.

The meeting is to review progress since he took power last year and make strategic plans for the future.

The Ministers are looking for in the new budget, the strategic framework for development of Tonga and what the Government has to change to allow this application.

They are also thinking in its priorities for the period of four years.

The first Minister Lord Tu'ivakano said that the Government wants to establish strong and complete basis for the next few years.

He says, as a result of the withdrawal, when the legislature will open early next month, that the Ministers will have a clear vision of Tonga economic and development situation.

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