US military to move into South Pacific

One piece of "soft power" praised was the U.S Army's provision to the Tongan Defence Forces of arms and ammunition.

Funny that, considering the Tongan Defence Forces/Police are yet to be held accountable for human rights abuses during and after the Tongan Uprising of 2006.

This report documents allegations of ill-treatment of detainees and prisoners by members of the Tonga Police Force and Tonga Defence Service

Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is prohibited at all times and in all circumstances under international law. Not only is this a requirement under the international human rights conventions to which Tonga is a party, but as a member of the international community, Tonga is bound by the rule of customary international law, which recognises the prohibition of torture and ill treatment as binding on all states whether or not they are parties to treaties which contain the prohibition.This prohibition is a fundamental value of a democratic society and is absolute in terms that no derogation is permissible even during war or in the event of a public emergency threatening the life of a nation.
http://indymedia.org.nz/usermedia/application/4/documenting_the_treatment_of_detainees_and_prisoners_by_security_forces_in_tonga_1_.pdf

Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:31:44 -1000
US military to move into South Pacific

The new strategy would be unveiled this month at a conference, which would be attended by Royal New Zealand Navy chief Rear Admiral David Ledson and other senior officers.
Daily Post/ Pacnews
Mon, 1 Oct 2007

WASHINGTON, USA ---- The United States military is set to move back into the South Pacific after abandoning the region at the end of the Cold War, reports Dominion Post The new strategy would be unveiled this month at a conference, which would be attended by Royal New Zealand Navy chief Rear Admiral David Ledson and other senior officers.

Details of the plans are still under wraps but the American Forces Press Service - a Pentagon operation - Friday hinted that it would include more US Navy ships operating in the South Pacific and "greater American engagement with Pacific militaries."

One piece of "soft power" praised was the U.S Army's provision to the Tongan Defence Forces of arms and ammunition.

The US military was a dominant force in the Pacific during the Cold War, countering what it perceived as a growing Pacific Soviet fleet. With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Washington had visibly pulled back from the region, with ship visits rare and key diplomatic and aid offices
closed.

But the growth of China in the region, as well as fears over terrorism, turned this around and Washington planned a comeback. US Navy Vice Admiral John Morgan, deputy chief of naval operations for information, plans and strategy, yesterday told a national security group in Washington that a new maritime strategy released next month will address the demands of a globalising world.

The New Zealand Navy will be among 91 heads of allied navies, marines and coast guards.