TONGAN PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SUVA 000052

SIPDIS


SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016
TAGS: PGOV ECON PHUM TN
SUBJECT: TONGAN PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS

REF: A. 05 SUVA 613


B. 05 SUVA 494 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: AMBASSADOR DINGER, SECTIONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (U) Summary: Tongan Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala
Lavaka Ata, has resigned. Lavaka Ata, youngest son of the
King of Tonga, submitted his resignation on Saturday,
February 11, to his older brother Prince Regent Tupouto'a.
Tupouto'a named Minister of Labour, Commerce, and Industries
Fred Sevele, a commoner, as Acting Prime Minister. Theories
and rumors abound regarding the reasons for the PM's sudden
departure, but mismanagement and scandals have plauged Lavaka
Ata and his government for many months. End Summary.

Crown Prince Seizes Window of Opportunity
--------------

2. (C) With the king's continued presence in New Zealand for
medical treatment, Prince Regent and Crown Prince Tupouto'a
was the one to accept PM Lavaka Ata's resignation on February

11. Sources said Crown Prince and acting Head of State
Tupouto'a asked the PM to resign. According to reports, this
is not the first time the PM has considered resignation. In
the wake of last year's public service strike (reftel B),
many sources told Emboffs that the PM had attempted to resign
at the height of the strike. In reftel A, we reported that
Prince Tui'pelehake, nephew of the king, told the Ambassador
in November that Crown Prince Tupouto'a was attempting to
replace Lavaka Ata with Fred Sevele. The king's absence and
the Crown Prince's position as Prince Regent seem to have
given him the opportunity he was looking for. Just last
week, the Crown Prince returned to Tonga from overseas.

Commoner Appointed PM
--------------

3. (SBU) Fred Sevele, a people's representative who was
appointed Minister of Labour, Commerce, and Industries in
March 2005, was selected by Tupouto'a as Acting Prime
Minister. Over the past 11 months Sevele has served as
Acting PM on several occasions when Lavaka Ata has been out
of Tonga. Sevele, a successful businessman, has been one of
the few bridges between the royals and the pro-democracy
groups. Sevele has associated with the Tonga Human Rights
and Democracy Movement for many years but is also a trusted
interlocutor for the royal family. Sevele was one of the
members of the government negotiating team instrumental in
resolving last year's strike.

Reasons behind the change: Civil Aviation?
--------------

4. (C) Some sources say the reason Lavaka Ata was forced out
is Tonga's civil aviation mess. As PM, Lavaka Ata also
maintained civil aviation as part of his portfolio. Two
years ago, Lavaka Ata was Chairman of the Board of Royal
Tongan Airlines when it declared bankruptcy and handed the
government some rather hefty debts. In 2005, a domestic
airline monopoly was granted to Peau Vava'u Airlines, owned
by the Crown Prince. In December 2005, citing Peau Vava'u's
failure to live up to its obligations to service a number of
Tonga's smaller islands, the Ministry of Civil Aviation
revoked Peau Vava'u's monopoly status and awarded Air Fiji a
license to operate within Tonga. Many believe the Crown
Prince is unhappy about the increased competition.


5. (C) Former Secretary of Civil Aviation Mapa Faletau's
contract with the Ministry of Civil Aviation was abruptly
terminated on January 19, which some say was due to the
revocation of Peau Vava'u's monopoly. Publicly Faletau
stated he wanted to take care of his recently inherited noble
title and associated responsibilities. We note, though, in
addition to Lavaka Ata's professional capacity as Minister of
Civil Aviation, rumor in Tonga has it that he and Faletau
have had an illicit relationship (reftel B).

Other rumors
--------------

6. (C) Rumors about Lavaka Ata's relationships as well as his
stonewalling during the 2005 civil service strike have
resulted in his increasing unpopularity in Tonga. Tonga's
economy also is facing serious difficulties and many blame
Lavaka Ata for lack of leadership. To add to the troubles of
Lavaka Ata's government, the Speaker of the Tongan

SUVA 00000052 002 OF 002


Parliament, Honorable Veikune, was recently convicted of
bribery, and stripped of both his Parliamentary seat and his
noble title.

Comment: Perhaps a good sign, but too soon to tell
-------------- --------------

7. (C) Lavaka Ata is a committed monarchist, and his
statements during a Washington visit in late 2005 served to
underscore his opposition to democratic options in Tonga. By
contrast, Crown Prince Tupouto'a is widely believed to be
somewhat more receptive to change. A recent Commonwealth
group that met with both men confirmed this impression.


8. (C) In terms of day-to-day governance, many believe Sevele
would be a better leader as Tonga faces its current economic
crisis. Whether or not the resignation signals a
royal-family willingness to consider serious democratic
reform is not yet certain.
DINGER