FILE PHOTO : Group photo of Samoa Atoa talks in American Samoa – Photo Samoa News
By Staff Writer
Money allegedly paid by the American Samoa Government to the Minister of Agriculture, Laauli Polataivao Schmidt, for the ‘Togitogiga Cattle Farm’ must be returned.
The HRPP opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, made his demands loud and clear to the local media during the week.
He is dead set on the Minister making the payment himself, to atone for his alleged underhand dealing without any official approval on the use of Government property on the south side of of Upolu Is.
“Government should step in and make the payment if Laauli is unable to do so,” Tuilaepa insisted to the local media during the week.
Tuilaepa made his repayment demands public while the senior Cabinet Minister was attending Samoa Atoa talks in the American territory.
Laauli was a member of Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa’s delegation for the bi-annual talks between the two Samoas at the start of the week.
The HRPP Leader felt the get together was the ideal place and time to reimburse the money.
The Minister allegedly received payment to reportedly purchase cattle and other related costs for the cattle farm offered to the neighbouring territory.
Tuilaepa has made repeated calls for an official apology from Prime Minister Fiame to American Samoa for the Togitogiga Cattle Farm scandal.
The opposition leader is wary of any possible federal backlash on the American territory’s administration, if federal funds were used with no cattle farm to show for it.
Tuilaepa did not divulge the full amount paid to Laauli instead referred media questions to live coverage of the American Samoa senate session where the cattle farm scandal is being fully disclosed.
A weighty concern for him is the risk of the American Samoa leadership being made to feel they were being taken for fools.
“Our close family ties have benefitted us all in many ways which is all the more reason why American Samoa needs an apology for the Minister’s action for his personal benefit.
“No country is kept in the dark indefinitely, there will be light eventually and whatever the differences, they will always be resolved through talanoa ( talks).”
Tuilaepa prescribed the added remedy made popular by the Samoan saying “ E fofo alamea le alamea” or the crown of thorn will cure any injury you have from stepping on its sharp thorns.
“All you do is turn over the crown of thorn and place your injured foot on its belly and it’ll fix it.”
The Government delegation to the Samoa Atoa talks have since returned but it is unclear if there was any official apology or reimbursement payment made.
The federal presence of the US remains a telling influence in the Samoa Atoa talks.
As a US territory, the American Samoa leadership is fully mindful of federal stipulations in any final decision making unlike her sovereign independent neighbour.