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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