11-11-2007, 01:12 AM
NUKU'ALOFA (AFP) -- A year after a rampage of burning and looting left eight people dead and more than 150 businesses displaced, empty building sites still dominate the center of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa.
Pressure for political reform of the semi-feudal South Pacific monarchy, which sparked the riot, persists but activists and the government cannot agree on the way forward.
On the surface life in the sprawling town of around 40,000 has returned to its normal easy rhythm but a year after the riots nothing has been resolved.
Rebuilding is yet to start, the final form and timing of democratic reforms remain uncertain and the ringleaders of the rioting are yet to be brought to justice.
A recent meeting of regional government leaders was held within a tight cordon of road blocks and security patrols while an anti-government protest was forced to the outskirts of town.
View full story: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=156823
Pressure for political reform of the semi-feudal South Pacific monarchy, which sparked the riot, persists but activists and the government cannot agree on the way forward.
On the surface life in the sprawling town of around 40,000 has returned to its normal easy rhythm but a year after the riots nothing has been resolved.
Rebuilding is yet to start, the final form and timing of democratic reforms remain uncertain and the ringleaders of the rioting are yet to be brought to justice.
A recent meeting of regional government leaders was held within a tight cordon of road blocks and security patrols while an anti-government protest was forced to the outskirts of town.
View full story: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=156823