Message from His Majesty King George Tupou V
17 November 2006
A STATEMENT BY THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN ON BEHALF OF
HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE TUPOU V
HIS MAJESTY HAS COMMANDED THAT THIS MESSAGE BE BROADCASTED TO THE PEOPLE OF TONGA.
HIS MAJESTY IS GREATLY DISTRESSED THAT A SMALL BUT DANGEROUS CRIMINAL ELEMENT HAS CAUSED DEATHS, INJURIES AND EXTENSIVE
PROPERTY DAMAGE ON TONGATAPU.
THE KING EXTENDS HIS DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED OR BEEN INJURED AND TO THE MANY BUSINESS
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THESE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.
HIS MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT IS TAKING DECISIVE ACTION TO RESTORE LAW AND ORDER TO THE KINGDOM. EVERY MEASURE OF THE LAW
WILL BE FOLLOWED TO TRACK DOWN AND PROSECUTE THE PERPETRATORS AND THOSE WHO INCITED AND AGITATED THIS MINDLESS CRIMINAL
DESTRUCTION.
HIS MAJESTY IS DETERMINED THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE THE LEADERSHIP AND INITIATIVES TO OVERCOME THE IMMEASURABLE
DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED TO THE NATION’S ECONOMY AND MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE.
OVER THE YEARS, TONGA HAS DEVELOPED A PROUD AND ENVIABLE REPUTATION AS A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. HIS
MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT WILL WORK VIGOROUSLY TO RESTORE THAT INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION DESPITE THE NEGATIVE IMAGE CREATED BY
THIS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
- END -