Very little information from Government on Atoa o Samoa Talks

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 12 OCTOBER 2022: The Atoa o Samoa Talks between American Samoa and Samoa Governments starts tomorrow, yet there is very little information from the Samoan Government regarding the meeting.

The American Samoa delegation led by Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga Palepoi is already in the country and the media is getting no information from the Press Secretariat’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the talks program and media access.

After been given the run around by both government offices, Talamua got the following information on the American Samoa Government website about the Apia Talks.

According to the Governor’s office information, tomorrow’s program starts with the Honoured Guard parade in-front of the Government Building to be followed by speeches by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Governor Lemalu Peleti Mauga Palepoi.

Traditional presentations will follow before the delegates meet at Taumeasina Resort for talks.

Today, the American Samoa delegations are on site visits organised by the Samoa Ministry of Foreign Affairs office.

Issues expected to be discussed
In the last Atoa o Samoa Talks in American Samoa in July 2022, the issue of the exportation of local meat and eggs to American Samoa was discussed.

This prompted a visit by the American Samoa delegation led by the Director of the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries, Solia Mutini and the Chief Procurement Officer Tuitiaalamu Dr. Etuale Masunu to two poultry farms and cattle farms in Samoa.

The issue was an initiative by the Samoa Government and a report is expected to be discussed in this week’s talks.

Long standing issues from the previous talks include:

• Immigration,

• Recruitment of local workers for Starkist Fish Packaging Company,

• Health & Economy,

• Foreign Affairs and Trade,

• Education on language and literacy,

• Cultural Preservation,

• Technology,

• Environment & Climate Change,

• Land Swap agreement.

The Talks in Apia are scheduled for two days.