By Staff Writer
American Samoa has agreed to wave goodbye or ‘Tofa’ to its ‘Talofa Pass’ that brought much grief to kinsfolks traveling across from independent Samoa.
Travel to the territory will revert to the entry permit criteria of two or four weeks either next month in November or December.
American Samoa Governor Lemana PS Mauga announced the change of immigration policy at the end of Samoa Atoa Talks at the Taumeasina Resort on Thursday and Friday.
The Governor, however, did not give details on what brought this decision about but travelers from Apia will welcome the permit policy with sighs of relief.
The present ‘Talofa Pass’ requires police and health reports for entry into the territory.
A bigger and more welcoming focus the Talks raised was free travel or access between the two countries.
Both PM Fiame and Governor Lemana confirmed discussions on the issue, but it is unlikely to happen any time soon.
Immigration officials on both sides will have to look into the legal terms to be applied to make it possible in a reality check.
“We have two sets of legal commitments to go over in American Samoa, firstly as a territory and secondly the US as the controlling Government,” Governor Lemana told the local media at the end of the Talks.
PM Fiame talked of the benefits for the American Samoa cannery as an example of making it easier for labour recruit from Samoa.
The Samoan leader referred to the seasonal workers scheme that is allowed New Zealand and Australia to recruit from Samoa’s labour force.
“We’ve already had a representative from Star Kist Cannery talked to Government about this matter,” PM Fiame revealed.
Educational opportunities available in Samoa is a point the local delegation tried to impress on their guests.
PM Fiame talked about enrolling at the National University of SAMOA, Institute of Technology, Maritime School, and the University of the South Pacific Samoa Campus at Alafua.
“The USP has accreditation to the US so that is promising.”
Trade was one of the key areas the PM pointed out in the Talks with Samoa basically playing a suppliers role in the export of farming produce to the territory.
Specific mention was made of the export of beef and eggs on the condition that quality standards must be followed.
Strict federal standards by the US controlling authority, FDA, are in place.
“The spirit of these Samoa Atoa Talks is to inspire the two Samoas into working together to benefit each other,” PM Fiame underlined.
An official document setting out matters discussed by the two sides is yet to be released.