Following is the response from Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to questions sent to him by website blog www.coupfourpointfive.com.

The questions are attached below. The Prime Minister’s response is as follows;

I’ve been asked to comment on a Michael Field article suggesting that I have ‘unwittingly’ implicated myself in a supposed coup being planned by Ratu Tevita Mara and Jone Baledrokadroka.

I have not read the said article but I’ve been briefed of its contents. First, I am very glad to see that Mike is still the cantankerous journalist that has endeared him to many Pacific Island governments.

Second, I do not know anything about coups. We don’t have coups in Samoa, unless, it’s a chicken coop.

My support for Mara is solely on his and others’ efforts in returning Fiji to democratic government and free elections. If that is the aim of the democracy campaign in Fiji and elsewhere, then I support it too.

Any measure to support the military regime in Suva is denying the people of Fiji democratic right and I will not be a party to it. Bainimarama’s promise of holding elections in 2014 is not taken seriously by Forum leaders. That is because he has been consistently dishonest with his dealings with the leaders and, thus, cannot be trusted.

His latest election promise also, is not consistent with his actions as he continues to fill up the top public service ranks with his cronies in the military and otherwise. When Mara might wish to visit Samoa is solely up to him. We are not in the business of barring anyone from visiting our shores. We have also received official delegations from Fiji in recent months for regional meetings. May I also take this opportunity to renew my invitation to my friend Bainimarama to come to Samoa. Even better, if his visit coincides with that of Mara in Apia, then the three of us can enjoy cold Vailimas under the swaying coconut trees. Perhaps that’s what the situation in Fiji requires, a cold Vailima solution.

All this climate change is making many people in the Pacific warm in the head.

I would also like to take this opportunity to comment on a recent article by a certain Graham Davis that my statements on Fiji is creating a rift between Polynesians and Melanesians. I’ve also been briefed of the article’s contents. People – especially academics – read too much into this so-called Polynesian versus Melanesian thinking. Let me put it in a simple context we can all understand.

A toad and a frog were arguing on the doorstep. One argues he is much more handsome than the other. Along comes a pretty girl, looks at the pair, screams ‘AUOI!’, stomps on both of them and runs away. Moral of the story? We live in the same pond and nobody really cares about our differences.

Good day.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Talofa lava

We’d like to get Tuilaepa’s comments and thoughts on the story by Michael Field claiming Roko Ului Mara and Jone Baledrokadroka are planning a coup.

(see our blog http://www.coupfourandahalf.com/)

 Field also mentions Tuilaepa, suggesting the PM has unwittingly implicated himself in planning of the coup, by supporting Roko Ului.

We’d like to ask Tui:

1)    What do you think of Field’s summary of what’s happening in Fiji?

2)    What do you think of the claim Mara and Baledrokadroka are planning a coup?

3)    What is your response to his comments about your supposed involvement just because you support Mara?

4)    Do you think this will upset the democracy campaign to topple Bainimarama?

5)    When do you hope Mara will arrive in Samoa?

6)    Do you have any concerns now about working with Mara?

We do appreciate any time Tui can give us and look forward to hearing from you.

Fa’afetai lava

C4.5

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