VZCZCXRO8544
PP RUEHPB
DE RUEHSV #0224/01 1071354
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 171354Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3954
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0265
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1660
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 1233
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 1429
RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 0431
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0840
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 0188
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHHJJAA/JICPAC HONOLULU HI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SUVA 000224 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017 
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM CH TN
SUBJECT: EAP DAS DAVIES IN TONGA URGES RAPID DEMOCRATIC 
 
REFORM 
 
REF: SUVA 
 
Classified By: Amb. Dinger.  Sec. 1.4 (B,D). 
 
Summary 
------- 
¶1. (C) During EAP DAS Davies' April 13-14 visit to Tonga, 
Prime Minister Sevele reiterated that he and the King are 
committed to reform.  In conversations across the political 
spectrum, Davies heard various views about the appropriate 
pace, though most all agreed last November's riot in 
Nuku'alofa left deep scars that affect people's perspectives. 
 PM Sevele complained about aspects of the Human Rights 
Report.  Davies complimented Sevele and Tonga Defense Service 
(TDS) Commander Uta'atu on the decision to deploy another 
platoon to Iraq.  Uta'atu left the impression he is becoming 
very comfortable with the TDS's domestic roles under a 
continuing state of emergency.  Pro-democracy activists are 
not so happy about that.  Tonga's newly appointed 
reconciliation advisor described his plans to Davies and 
sought U.S. assistance.  Finance Minister 'Utoikamanu 
described Tonga's severe economic problems, for which he 
urges political reforms and donor assistance.  PM Sevele will 
travel to Beijing shortly, attempting to seal a T$100 million 
(US$50 million) soft loan for post-riot reconstruction 
efforts.  Continuing political uncertainties, complicated by 
the state of emergency, and the severe economic downturn 
leave a visitor concerned that Tonga will continue to be in 
crisis for some time to come.  End summary. 
 
A series of useful meetings 
--------------------------- 
¶2. (U) EAP DAS Glyn Davies visited Tonga April 13-14.  He met 
with PM Sevele, Finance Minister 'Utoikamanu, Foreign 
Secretary Tone, newly appointed Reconciliation Advisor to the 
 
SIPDIS 
PM Viliami Afeaki, Commander of the Tonga Defense Service 
(TDS) BG Uta'atu, pro-democracy members of parliament Akilisi 
Pohiva and Clive Edwards, pro-democracy activist Viliami 
Fukofuka, and the Chiefs of Mission for Australia, New 
Zealand, and China.  Davies also visited with Peace Corps 
Volunteers.  King George V was reportedly on a visit to 
American Samoa.  Tonga TV did an interview with Davies that 
received country-wide coverage on the evening news. 
 
PM and King still want reform; but a pace issue 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
¶3. (C) PM Sevele rose from his sick bed for a meeting at his 
home that lasted over an hour.  Sevele reiterated past 
statements that he and the King both are committed to 
democratic reform as quickly as is reasonably possible. 
Given last November's riot that shook the psyches of most 
Tongans, Sevele now believes reforms should be discussed and 
agreed to in the next session of Parliament that begins at 
the end of May; but the next election, required by the 
Constitution to be in 2008, should be postponed to 2010, or 
maybe 2011.  Sevele suggested the lead time is necessary for 
healing wounds, completing criminal cases against riot 
backers (including pro-democracy leaders), reconstructing 
Nuku'alofa, and enacting reforms to the constitution.  DAS 
Davies described the USG view that democratic reform should 
take place as rapidly as possible, given underlying pressures 
in Tonga that continue to fester.  It is up to Tongans to 
decide the pace, but a three-year delay sounds like a long 
time. 
 
Complaints about the Human Rights Report 
---------------------------------------- 
¶4. (C) Sevele raised two complaints about the 2006 Human 
Rights Report on Tonga.  He and advisor Lopeti Senituli 
disputed the HRR's suggestion that the shut-down of the OBN 
TV station in the days just before the riot may have been 
politically motivated.  (OBN was the main pro-democracy media 
channel during parliamentary consideration of National 
Committee on Political Reform (NCPR) recommendations last 
year.)  Senituli said the shut-down was purely a legal matter 
between landlord and tenant, and the government played no 
role.  (Comment: Others, including a lawyer involved in the 
case, are quite sure there was a political motive.)  Sevele 
also said the HRR suggestion that his counter proposal to the 
NCPR's recommendation was for "more limited reform" was not 
true.  (Comment: The HRR language was accurate as of the 
time.  It appears Sevele has since adjusted his proposal to 
 
SUVA 00000224  002 OF 003 
 
 
make clear it would not allow the King to retain 50% control 
of parliament.) 
 
Compliments about a Tonga deployment to Iraq 
-------------------------------------------- 
¶5. (C) DAS Davies complimented Sevele on agreeing to the 
second deployment of a TDS platoon to the "Coalition of the 
Willing" in Iraq.  Davies noted the significant U.S. military 
assistance that is flowing to Tonga to assist that mission. 
Sevele's body language indicated he remains uncomfortable 
with the potential political ramifications if there are 
casualties, but he did accept the compliment.  Later, in a 
meeting with TDS Commander Uta'atu, Davies reiterated the 
praise.  Uta'atu noted that the TDS has benefited greatly 
over the years from its relationship with the U.S. 
Contributing to international peacekeeping by deploying to 
Iraq is an appropriate response.  Uta'atu told Davies he is 
looking to expand the TDS within the next couple of years 
from 450 to over 700, more than a 75% increase, in order to 
meet expanding needs at home and abroad. 
 
State of emergency; police ineptitude 
------------------------------------- 
¶6. (C) Sevele and Uta'atu both proposed that Tonga's state of 
emergency declared after the November riot must remain.  The 
Privy Council extended it for another month on April 13. 
Uta'atu noted that the visible presence of his troops in the 
community is down considerably but he sees it important for 
the TDS to be able to return to the streets instantly if 
trouble arises.  Both Sevele and Uta'atu claimed that the 
Tongan public want the state of emergency to continue.  The 
Tonga Police did a survey of 61 village leaders and 53 of 
them said "yes."  We queried if village leaders are entirely 
neutral on the subject.  Sevele and Uta'atu both criticized 
the Tonga Police for being passive during the riot and for 
being ill-trained and inefficient in general.  Sevele said 
discussions continue with Australia and New Zealand to 
improve the Police, including by perhaps bringing in outside 
advisors for the senior ranks. 
 
Pro-democracy activist views 
---------------------------- 
¶7. (C) In meetings with pro-democracy activists, including 
MPs Pohiva and Edwards, both of whom are under indictment on 
sedition charges for the November riot, DAS Davies heard a 
very different story.  The activists do not believe the state 
of emergency remains necessary.  In fact, they think it and 
alleged TDS abuses under it are adding to public discontent. 
The decree also keeps people from meeting to discuss 
political issues.  Pohiva and Edwards both deny planning, 
instigating, or participating in the riot.  They both trust 
the Tonga courts and believe they will be acquitted.  Pohiva 
acknowledges that the riot has left deep wounds, which may 
mean implementing reforms and holding the next election 
should be postponed from 2008 for a year or two.  Edwards 
seemed more feisty, arguing that reform is necessary now. 
Delay could be explosive. 
 
Seeking reconciliation 
---------------------- 
¶8. (C) New advisor on reconciliation Afeati is a U.S.-citizen 
Mormon who has lived in Utah for the past decade.  He, 
rightly, sees building bridges across the post-riot political 
divide to be very difficult, but also essential.  His aim is 
to orchestrate gatherings and media events leading up to a 
major reconciliation ceremony on the riot's one-year 
anniversary in November.  When Afeati asked if U.S. 
assistance might be possible, Davies was noncommittal.  PM 
Sevele acknowledged the need for reconciliation, but it was 
obvious he remains deeply affected by the riot that destroyed 
his grocery store and threatened his family.  His focus 
remains much more on prosecuting the wrong-doers -- and he is 
convinced several pro-democracy MPs are among them -- than on 
rebuilding relationships.  Sevele is a long-time 
pro-democracy activist placed in office by the King.  Sevele 
sees himself as working within the system to gain reform 
goals.  Pohiva, Sevele's old friend, sees him as having sold 
out. 
 
Timing reform and donor assistance 
---------------------------------- 
¶9. (C) Finance Minister 'Utoikamanu seemed one of the few 
 
SUVA 00000224  003 OF 003 
 
 
Tonga leaders able to maintain a balanced perspective. 
Davies was told by others that the Minister's stock has 
risen, post-riot, because the PM realizes he needs sound, 
neutral advice.  'Utoikamanu is convinced that political 
reform is essential and must be implemented as quickly as 
possible.  He is frustrated by the PM's current unwillingness 
to push ahead.  Tonga's economy has severe problems and 
desperately needs a stable, reformed environment in which to 
recover.  Outside assistance is also essential.  'Utoikamanu 
described a useful donor meeting with Australia, New Zealand, 
and the Asian Development bank at the end of March.  Those 
sources will help, but the needs for reconstructing 
Nuku'alofa's central business district, gutted in the riot, 
are much greater. 
 
The China factor: aid; Taiwan; local citizens 
--------------------------------------------- 
¶10. (C) The donor Tonga is really looking to is China, 
wanting to tap into assistance Premier Wen promoted during a 
regional summit in Nadi a year ago.  PM Sevele is due to 
travel to Beijing shortly to attempt to seal a soft loan for 
T$100 million (US$50 million).  Sevele is hoping China will 
allow some of the aid to be non-tied, even perhaps to permit 
some of it to channel through commercial banks to private 
entities (here Sevele's own commercial loss comes to mind) 
for reconstruction.  China's Ambassador to Tonga, Hu Yeshun, 
confirmed to Davies that negotiations are under way.  He 
declined to describe the details.  Hu said he knows of no 
Taiwan representation in Tonga, but he acknowledged he is 
ever on the alert.  Around 500 Chinese live in Tonga, many of 
them now Tonga citizens under a passport-sale scheme from the 
1990s.  The riot targeted Chinese-owned retail shops, sending 
more than 300 ethnic-Chinese into the PRC embassy compound. 
China evacuated around 200 by air, though Hu said some are 
now returning. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶11. (C) Just about everyone in Tonga, except perhaps Minister 
'Utoikamanu, has deep scars from the riot that will be a long 
time healing.  When Akilisi Pohiva, a fervent reformer for 20 
years, sees the need for a cooling off period, it may well be 
necessary.  However, we got the distinct impression that PM 
Sevele is looking to stretch reform out longer than needed, 
almost in the Fiji interim-government mode.  It is impossible 
for USG visitors to gauge just how much grass-roots 
frustration is percolating -- even a group of Peace Corps 
Volunteers living at the village level had varying views -- 
but our sense is that the TDS domestic role under the state 
of emergency is a worrying irritation.  A danger from the 
present situation is that the TDS and its Commander are 
becoming very comfortable with their domestic roles.  BG 
Uta'atu acknowledged that his troops are trained for combat, 
not for policing the streets; but he clearly thinks the army 
is contributing to a better Tonga by providing a reliable, 
hard-edged security service in sharp contrast to the police. 
People generally respect Uta'atu and believe he understands 
his subordinate role to royal and/or civilian leadership; 
however, for now, the civilian leadership is encouraging 
military roles that may slow the ability of reform elements 
to make their case. 
 
¶12. (U) DAS Davies has cleared this message. 
DINGER