TAC Grateful For Support

Media Release

Tongan Advisory Council (TAC)

22/11/2006

TAC Grateful For Support

The Tongan Advisory Council fully supports the presence of New Zealand and Australian defence services in Tonga. The need to establish law and order and promote the safety of ordinary Tongan citizens is paramount.

The outcry, particularly from the leadership of the Pro-Democracy Movement for the involvement of foreign troops on Tonga’s Sovereign soil, is disappointing and bewildering. To maintain law, order and safety after civil disobedience on an unprecedented scale is in the best interests of all Tongans.

Ironically, if Pro-Democracy leaders were able to contain the crowd it gathered in Pangai Si’i, then there would be no need for foreign troops to maintain law and order. The fact remains, that the crowd that they gathered began rioting and then escalated.

The Tongan Advisory Council unanimously supports the presence of New Zealand and Australian troops to assist Tonga. We thank these Governments for their presence in the Pacific region, offering assistance while recognising Tonga’s sovereignty. We hope that law and order will be restored so that our kind neighbours may return home to their families in time for Christmas.

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