05-01-2008, 07:17 PM
2/05/2008 4:01:16 p.m.
Since the end of the election, Tongareview has been surveying responses from the public about the results and upcoming change to democracy proposed for 2010.
In the course of the analysis, we identified a significant group of voters who believe that there will be trouble in the Kingdom before or during the Coronation if the King does not meet the demands from the Peoples Representatives, which is to give formal assent in writing to democratic changes.
Currently, no firm agreement has been made but the King has made it known that he agrees with political changes based on recommendations from Parliament. However, no formal agreement has been made with the Peoples Representatives.
Parliament is yet to determine the governance model to use so this leaves uncertainty in the minds of many who want an answer from the Monarch that Tonga will actually have democratic changes. They want this in writing.
At least 90% of those spoken to were adamant that they will carry out mass demonstrations on a scale bigger than 16/11. Details are still sketchy but the intentions are to show the world and the authorities that there will be trouble in the Kingdom if the demands for democracy are not met.
Similar sentiments have been aired by the Peoples number 1 Representative, Mr ‘Akilisi Pohiva who said to the T-News TV programme in New Zealand that a submission will be presented to the King demanding a formal agreement for democratic change otherwise further disruption is on the way.
Mr Pohiva said that there are two issues at hand, one is for a formal agreement by His Majesty, and the second is for a discussion on the timeframe but 2010 is the absolute limit.
He has also sent a stern warning to the Prime Minister and powers in Government to take heed to these demands because he now has the mandate from the people to carry out these demands for democratic change. Mr Pohiva and his fellow democracy candidates captured nearly 70% of the voters in the Tongatapu region. This was from 32,000 who turned on to vote out of the 64,000 who registered.
Mr Pohiva’s warning carries huge weight because his democratic movement and fellow Peoples Representatives from Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai now command the largest support base in the Kingdom based on the election results.
The Government, according to sources, have threatened to use the army to retaliate against anyone who breaks the law and especially during the Coronation. The Government has made it clear that it will use the full force of the law to maintain peace and stability and any public uprising will be dealt with decisively.
The same scenario being faced by Tonga right now is similar to that leading up to the riots on 16 November 2006. The Peoples Representatives have their supporters in place and they intend to follow through with their demands for the formal agreement from the King for democratic change.
If the King and Government fails to meet these demands then Tonga will once again stare down the barrel of another potentially crippling and disastrous uprising by the democratic supporters.
International agencies and countries with close relations with the Kingdom should move quickly while there is time to try and calm the situation or find a common ground for both sides because another uprising is sure to result in worse bloodshed and the loss of lives.
The army and Police have experienced the bitter taste of being helpless on 16 November 2006 but this time they will surely be ready to use what ever means, including deadly force, to bring down any uprising.
The warning signs are clear and it has come from those who speak for a huge majority of the people so all parties should take serious notice of this. The authorities must not wait until it is too late which is what occurred on 16 November 2006.
This is a time for cool heads to meet and to put aside all differences but to come up with a solution that will secure the future of the Kingdom. The Government needs to meet with the Peoples Representatives now and both sides should work together to find the solution.
If not, then God help us all because both sides will not give an inch once trouble starts.
Source: http://www.tongareview.com/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=5570
Since the end of the election, Tongareview has been surveying responses from the public about the results and upcoming change to democracy proposed for 2010.
In the course of the analysis, we identified a significant group of voters who believe that there will be trouble in the Kingdom before or during the Coronation if the King does not meet the demands from the Peoples Representatives, which is to give formal assent in writing to democratic changes.
Currently, no firm agreement has been made but the King has made it known that he agrees with political changes based on recommendations from Parliament. However, no formal agreement has been made with the Peoples Representatives.
Parliament is yet to determine the governance model to use so this leaves uncertainty in the minds of many who want an answer from the Monarch that Tonga will actually have democratic changes. They want this in writing.
At least 90% of those spoken to were adamant that they will carry out mass demonstrations on a scale bigger than 16/11. Details are still sketchy but the intentions are to show the world and the authorities that there will be trouble in the Kingdom if the demands for democracy are not met.
Similar sentiments have been aired by the Peoples number 1 Representative, Mr ‘Akilisi Pohiva who said to the T-News TV programme in New Zealand that a submission will be presented to the King demanding a formal agreement for democratic change otherwise further disruption is on the way.
Mr Pohiva said that there are two issues at hand, one is for a formal agreement by His Majesty, and the second is for a discussion on the timeframe but 2010 is the absolute limit.
He has also sent a stern warning to the Prime Minister and powers in Government to take heed to these demands because he now has the mandate from the people to carry out these demands for democratic change. Mr Pohiva and his fellow democracy candidates captured nearly 70% of the voters in the Tongatapu region. This was from 32,000 who turned on to vote out of the 64,000 who registered.
Mr Pohiva’s warning carries huge weight because his democratic movement and fellow Peoples Representatives from Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai now command the largest support base in the Kingdom based on the election results.
The Government, according to sources, have threatened to use the army to retaliate against anyone who breaks the law and especially during the Coronation. The Government has made it clear that it will use the full force of the law to maintain peace and stability and any public uprising will be dealt with decisively.
The same scenario being faced by Tonga right now is similar to that leading up to the riots on 16 November 2006. The Peoples Representatives have their supporters in place and they intend to follow through with their demands for the formal agreement from the King for democratic change.
If the King and Government fails to meet these demands then Tonga will once again stare down the barrel of another potentially crippling and disastrous uprising by the democratic supporters.
International agencies and countries with close relations with the Kingdom should move quickly while there is time to try and calm the situation or find a common ground for both sides because another uprising is sure to result in worse bloodshed and the loss of lives.
The army and Police have experienced the bitter taste of being helpless on 16 November 2006 but this time they will surely be ready to use what ever means, including deadly force, to bring down any uprising.
The warning signs are clear and it has come from those who speak for a huge majority of the people so all parties should take serious notice of this. The authorities must not wait until it is too late which is what occurred on 16 November 2006.
This is a time for cool heads to meet and to put aside all differences but to come up with a solution that will secure the future of the Kingdom. The Government needs to meet with the Peoples Representatives now and both sides should work together to find the solution.
If not, then God help us all because both sides will not give an inch once trouble starts.
Source: http://www.tongareview.com/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=5570