SCENE-SETTER FOR PACOM VISIT TO TONGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 SUVA 000346 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOVPHUM MARR TN FJ SUBJECT: SCENE-SETTER FOR PACOM VISIT TO TONGA REF: A. A) SUVA 0345 ¶B. B) SUVA 0295 ¶C. C) SUVA 0215 ¶D. D) SUVA 0142 ¶E. E) SUVA 0101 ¶F. F) 08 SUVA 0448 Classified By: Ambassador C. Steven McGann for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Your visit to Tonga comes at a time when the benefits of our increased engagement are coming to fruition. This past year, the Tonga Defense Service (TDS) completed a successful deployment to Iraq. The U.S. Navy,s Pacific Partnership 2009 mission took place in July. This joint effort was in partnership with local non-government organizations and with military and civilian personnel from Australia, Canada and Singapore, as well as Tonga Defense Service personnel. The United States and Tonga recently signed a shiprider agreement that will help protect Tonga,s marine resources. The United States will soon begin processing visas in Tonga to spare its citizens the expense of a trip to Suva. The Tongan government is still recovering from the 2006 riots and more recently the tragic ferry accident that claimed over 70 lives. Amid this, the government continues its slow progress on democratic reforms. End summary. FRIENDLY BILATERAL RELATIONS -------------- ¶2. (U) The U.S. relationship with the Kingdom of Tonga has been friendly for many years. The Tongan Defense Service deployed to Iraq in 2003 for a six-month rotation and returned to Iraq in 2007 for an additional three rotations. During their most recent deployment, Tongan troops were hand-picked to provide security for the Multinational Force-Iraq Headquarters at Camp Victory in Iraq. This is the first time non-U.S. forces were given such a mission and illustrates the close MIL/MIL ties. Tonga also contributed troops and police to the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and has expressed interest in deploying to Afghanistan. The annual &Tafakula8 joint military exercise is further proof of our close links. Many Tongans reside in the United States, especially in Utah, California and Hawaii. Tonga often votes with the United States at the UNGA and in other international fora. The Peace Corps has been active in Tonga since the 1960,s. A MONARCHY WITH BRITISH TOUCHES -------------- ¶3. (C) The &Friendly Islands8 of Tonga were not a united monarchy until the reign of King George I in the mid-1800s. Tonga then solidified its political system via the Constitution of 1875, which made the king head of state with broad powers over the parliament that consists of the King,s Cabinet (12-16 people),nine nobles (elected by the 33 nobles of the realm),and nine people,s representatives (elected every three years in general elections). The king chooses the prime minister, who until recently was almost always a royal or noble. The political system ensured parliament would abide by the king,s wishes. Britain took a fatherly interest in Tongan governance from the mid-1800s until recently, but Tonga was never formally a colony. ANTI-ROYAL, PRO-DEMOCRATIC STIRRINGS -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Not surprisingly, some Tongans chafed at the lack of genuine democracy. Since the late 1980s, the most prominent reform advocate has been Akilisi Pohiva, a people,s representative from the main island, Tongatapu. For many years, his calls for a more democratic system appeared futile. However, popular sentiment continued to build, in part stimulated by royal insensitivity. King Tupou IV, who died at age 88 on September 10, 2006, chose some very odd advisors, including an American &court jester8 who reportedly squandered millions of dollars of Tongan investments. The last king,s children made sweet-heart deals with government agencies. King George V gained the electricity monopoly, which he named &Shoreline.8 Princess Pilolevu gained Tongasat, which leases satellite slots to Chinese entities. The youngest child, Crown Prince Tupouto,a Lavaka,ata, has a lucrative land lease with the LDS Church. Many more examples remain. SUVA 00000346 002.2 OF 004 ¶5. (C) A complicating factor was that the now-crown prince became prime minister in 2000. His instincts were very conservative, at a time when the public mood was stirring. In 2005, the Tongan government began to implement civil-service reforms that inexplicably raised the wages for top-tier public servants before assisting those at the bottom. Civil servants hit the streets in a strike that lasted for seven weeks, became very bitter as the prime minister stone-walled, and became a rallying point for pro-democracy campaigners as well. In the end, Princess Pilolevu capitulated on behalf of the government while the prime minister was abroad. Almost immediately, pro-democracy activists flexed their muscles with a demonstration that brought thousands to the streets of the capital. Signs and slogans were vehemently anti-royal. SENSING THE INEVITABILITY OF REFORM -- U.S. VIEW -------------- - ¶6. (C) As a result, for the first time, all elements in Tonga began to consider if a more democratic future was inevitable. The United States has encouraged a Tonga-managed transition to a meaningful Tongan-style democracy at as rapid a pace as Tongans can accept. In late 2005, parliament established, with royal assent, a national committee for political reform, headed by a royal cousin, Prince Tu'ipelehake. The NCPR held discussions throughout Tonga and in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. (Tu'ipelehake was killed in a car crash near San Francisco during the U.S. leg of the trip.) The late king initiated some reforms. For the first time he chose two People's Representatives (one of them now-Prime Minister Fred Sevele) to be members of Cabinet. Later, on advice of now-King George V, the late king removed younger son Lavaka'ata as Prime Minister and replaced him with Sevele, the first commoner to be prime minister since a Brit in the late 1800,s. In September 2006, the NCPR issued a report to parliament that recommended dramatic reform: a fully elected parliament, with a majority of peoples representatives, and with Parliament selecting its prime minister. The king presumably would act on "advice" of parliament. ATTEMPT AT SLOWING PACE RESULTS IN RIOT -------------- ¶7. (C) Some in Tonga, including Prime Minister Sevele, worried conservative elements would forcibly resist any rapid reforms that caused power to flow from the king to commoners. Some presumed the king was egging Sevele on. Sevele proposed an alternative plan that might leave the king with a delicate balance of power in parliament. The government then slowed Parliament's deliberative process. Pro-democracy forces were outraged and began public demonstrations. In November 2006, pro-government demonstrators also hit the streets. A riot erupted from the anti-government throng that brought destruction to many businesses in the central district. Businesses of the king and Sevele were destroyed. Chinese-owned businesses were also targeted. Eight rioters died in a torched building. It was a shocking day for normally laid-back Tonga, and it sobered everyone. DEALING WITH CRIMES -- THE TDS ROLE -------------- ¶8. (C) Tonga police were ineffective in responding to the riot. Sevele called on the TDS, with some Australian and New Zealand assistance, to restore order and begin interrogating/arresting wrong-doers. Many Tongans blamed much of the violence on "deportees" from the United States. Some "deportees" were probably involved, but almost certainly most of those who committed crimes were home-grown. There were reports of human-rights violations. Activists claimed many violations; the TDS claimed very few, and it says all were investigated and dealt with. PM Sevele was extremely embittered by the riot, and he blamed the pro-democracy leaders, his old friends. Those leaders have acknowledged stirring political pressure for the reform agenda, but they deny planning or instigating the riot. The government declared a state of emergency to restore law and order to the capital. The state of emergency has been repeatedly extended and is still in place. RE-STARTING REFORM; REAL PROGRESS MADE -------------- ¶9. (C) Immediately after the riot, the king gave a forward-looking speech at the close of parliament, expressing sorrow for the devastation but calling for continuation of inevitable reform. For many months, Sevele was visibly SUVA 00000346 003 OF 004 reluctant to re-start the reform agenda. However, it appears he came to realize, as others did, that popular resentment was beginning to stir toward the surface again. Nobody wanted another riot. In June 2007, Parliament set up a "Tripartite Committee" (cabinet, nobles, people's representatives) to attempt to find the future. In a matter of weeks, the group announced agreement on a proposal for a new parliament with nine nobles, 17 peoples representatives, and up to four members selected by the king, a clear majority for the people's representatives. The parliament would choose the prime minister from within, and the PM would select the cabinet from within. In November 2008, parliament endorsed the establishment of the constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission (CEC) to draft and make recommendations for political reform. The CEC presented its interim report in June 2009 to both parliament and the Privy Council. Its final report and recommendations will be submitted to the Privy Council and parliament in November ¶2009. FEELING THE IMPACT OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS -------------- --- ¶12. (C) The government expects the economy to grow by .15 percent in 2009/2010. A significant risk to this forecast is the potential for delays in implementation of the reconstruction work financed by China Eximbank. Remittances, the largest source of foreign exchange receipts, are down by about 13 percent this year, continuing a downward trend in recent years. The global economic crisis has softened demand for seasonal workers, which could put pressure on Tonga,s economy. The government,s response to the impact of the global economic crisis has failed to contribute to the underlying economic performance. The economy remains highly vulnerable to external conditions, notably remittances. Efforts to diversify the export sector and to implement structural reform remain critical. THE CHINA FACTOR -------------- ¶13. (C) For many years, Tonga had extremely close relations with Taiwan. The Crown Prince (now King George V) was particularly friendly. Then in 1998, Tonga suddenly switched recognition to Beijing, most likely through efforts of Princess Pilolevu and her Tongasat connections. For several years, Tonga sold "investor" passports to Chinese citizens. To Tonga's surprise, a number of the passport holders actually came to Tonga. Then relatives and friends followed. Before the riot, most small retail shops in Nuku'alofa had become Chinese owned and operated. Many Tongans, including other businessmen like Sevele, resented the Chinese in-flow. Thus, the targeting of Chinese shops in the riot was not surprising. Many Chinese fled Tonga immediately afterward, though we hear some are trickling back. The Chinese embassy cultivates the Tongan royal family, gifts travel to other Tongan leaders, and offers heavily tied infrastructure projects. INTERNAL POLITICAL-MILITARY DYNAMICS -------------- ¶15. (C) The future of the TDS bears pondering. It has always been seen as the King's force, its loyalty always to the crown. That has worked to the advantage of the United States in the decision-making about Tonga contributing to PKO in Iraq. All Tongan leaders understand the usefulness of Tonga helping us to achieve international peace and stability, but PM Sevele and then-Foreign/Defense Minister Tu'a were doubtful about Iraq. Sevele saw political peril if there were casualties. In defense board deliberations, the king, assisted by Brigadier General Uta'atu, trumped, and the deployments happened. However, Sevele and Tu'a called for a U.S. "quid pro quo": find a way to adjudicate visas for Tongan applicants in Tonga rather than in Suva, or Tonga "will not be disposed" to assist the United States "in the military and other fields." The United States is moving forward with a remote visa processing facility to begin in the near future in Tonga. Under the program, a consular officer will make regular trips to Nuku,alofa to process non-immigrant visa applications at a secure facility. NURTURING THE APPROPRIATE TDS ROLE -------------- ¶16. (C) The day-to-day role the TDS has taken during the state of emergency has reportedly raised hackles among some in the public. BG Uta'atu has plans to dramatically expand the size and capabilities of his force. From the perspective SUVA 00000346 004 OF 004 of having more Tongan help in international PKO, that idea is very attractive. However, at times Uta'atu has given the impression he is getting quite comfortable with his powers under the state of emergency. He is a friend of Fiji,s Commodore Bainimarama, and he has in the past expressed some sympathy for the Fiji military's assumption that it has a caretaker role over politics. As Tonga's transition from monarchy to democracy moves forward, it will be important for the United States to encourage the TDS, to the extent possible, to be a force that accepts and helps ensure a democratic future for Tonga. Department of State International Military Education Training and Foreign Military Financing programs for Tonga totaled $195,000 and $500,000, respectively, in 2008. PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009 -------------- ¶17. (SBU) The U.S. Navy,s Pacific Partnership 2009 mission took place for two weeks beginning July 13. The humanitarian and civil assistance mission was conducted by the U.S. Navy in partnership with local non-government organizations and with military and civilian personnel from Australia, Canada and Singapore, as well as Tonga Defense Service personnel. Teams of engineers and other personnel renovated schools, health clinics and the country,s main hospital, while other teams provided medical, dental, optical and veterinary services. TONGA,S FERRY TRAGEDY -------------- ¶18. (C) The Tongan ferry Princess Ashika sank 53 miles north-west of Nuku,alofa on August 8, killing an estimated 73 people. The Tongan government has been struggling to respond to this accident, which has been felt throughout the Tongan community. The king sparked outrage among the population when he departed Tonga the day after the sinking to begin his extended holiday in Europe. The government has inquired about U.S. Navy capabilities in raising the ferry, which still holds most of the victims, now resting at a depth of about 110 meters. The accident cost the Minister of Transport his job and the government is desperately seeking ways to reassure the Tongan people. During the recent shiprider signing, the Tongan government added the Ministry of Transport as a means to cooperate with the U.S. Coast Guard on maritime safety. U.S.-TONGA SHIPRIDER AGREEMENT -------------- ¶19. (SBU) On August 24, Tongan Secretary for Foreign Affairs Va'inga Tone and Commander, Fourteenth Coast Guard District RADM Manson Brown, signed a shiprider agreement. This agreement will allow U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) ships enforcement powers within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Tonga. This was the sixth shiprider agreement to be concluded in the region, after Palau, Micronesia, Kiribati, the Cook Islands, and the Marshall Islands. In addition to allowing Tongan officials to conduct enforcement actions from USCG ships, the agreement means that U.S. ships and aircraft patrolling the EEZ of American Samoa can now cross over into Tonga's EEZ in pursuit of illegal fishing vessels. According to RADM Brown, the first patrol to include Tongan personnel would likely take place in early 2010. MCGANN