Lawmaker says it should be announced
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Aug. 29, 2008) - Tonga’s leading people’s representative, Akilisi Pohiva, has welcomed the lifting of the emergency regulations in the kingdom.
The state of emergency was imposed across the kingdom in November 2006 after much of the centre of the capital Nuku’alofa was destroyed when violence erupted during demonstrations in support of democratic reforms.
It had been renewed on a monthly basis but restricted to the centre of the capital.
[PIR editor’s note: Certain restrictions had been in effect in the nation’s capital, Nukualofa, since the November 2006 riots that destroyed much of the business district.]
The prime minister’s advisor, Lopeti Senituli, has confirmed that the emergency regulations have not been renewed.
However, the Tongan authorities have made no public announcement to that effect.
Mr Pohiva says he’s happy about the...