I commend the efforts of the Governor, Senators and Congressman Eni in expediting the process of this military voting bill. We also like to thanks our people in our local territory and off island for their great support for this bill to pass. The men and women who are putting their lives on the line in harm’s way on the war on terrorism. We would like to give our upmost respect and faaalolalo lava and thank you for the greatest service and sacrifice you are giving in behalf of the free world and the people of AS.
We continued to encourage our local lawmakers not to give up but do the right thing for the right reason. Election year is fast approaching and this bill needs to be passed and sign by the governor before then.
Soifua,
Amerika Samoa ia Mataala!
Savaii P. Amitoelau
Olosega, Manu'a
April 12, 2008
Dear Editor,
"Container Inspection"
I would like to add my concern in support of the governor and the custom new policy on import container inspection. This has become a stale mate between the government and the local business owners who have been more concern with the flow of business transactions and filling their store shelves with products from off islands and very little interest for the safety and wellbeing of our people. This is where the government's role for inspection comes in as a regulatory agency not only to assess due duty and taxes, but also level the economic playing field and reassure the health and safety of the consumers.
In just a short time of the on-the-dock inspection trial, already we have blatant discovery of undeclared goods and other accessories that would have escaped detection. Just imagine the prospect of illegal contraband explosives, and other hazardous items that could pass through and into the hand of the wrong people. Not all of such questionable items can be sniffed out by our local K-9 unit. If anyone could remember back in the mid 1980s when a crate of suspected dear head trophy shipment that was confiscated by custom because suspicious powder packed in the hollow of such items.
In spite of the pressure and buyout offers from a few oriental and a prominent government official showed keen interest to circumvent the procedure, the quarantine officer in charge stood steadfast with the law and incinerated the contraband in the presence of the interested on- lookers who were on site to witness the end of the ordeal. Can we imagine if indeed the suspected powder packed was cocaine or heroine. In all indications the officer later confirmed receiving personal acknowledgement and compliment from an anonymous and estranged messenger who was acting on behalf of a "higher up" during a trip to Hawaii for his decision that may have salvaged serious implications against all the culprit involved. Those alleged culprits of the historic drug bust event who are still on island would remember the incident very well.
Another historical event happened about the same time involved a transshipment of a rubber raft packed with cocaine with an estimated value over $400,000 that originated from Tahiti to Pago Pago and on to Hawaii, where it was intercepted and four individuals were implicated and imprisoned. Well, now do you business owners get the message? A delay of two or three days in shelving the goods doesn't outweigh the significance of the government's responsibility to the general populace of our territory.
Our local territory is not the only one having problems with in-port inspection, the port of Los Angeles, CA are having human trafficking, smuggling from Asia in these medal containers with little or no food and water for the long and arduous trip without using the bathroom. Some of these people have been found sick with lack of nutrition, fresh air circulating in the medal container. In the worst case scenario some or all are found dead upon arrival at port.
Also the global war on terror we cannot assume we are small US territory in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that we are immune from any terrorist attack. These extremist terrorist fanatics can care less about anyone as long as they get their message across by any means. We have already witness many bomb attacks around the world and these attacks can occur anywhere even in AS. We cannot second guess these types of terrorist activities we must continue to find ways to protect our territory and people.
These argumentative statements by both the government and the private sector are the utmost concerns. The local government and the private sectors need to come up with a compromise to solve the issues at hand. I strongly agree that the local custom and port administrators need to come up with a better plan to speed up the inspection process so the local business do not lose any more revenues.
We all know time is money and the local businesses are losing money every minute the containers are set on the port dock. One of the ways the local custom can speed up the inspection process is hire more custom inspectors and scheduling. The local government can buy a container ex-ray machine like the port of Los Angeles; CA has and if any dispute found the container will be open for full inspection.
AS is under the protection of the US flag and we are not immune from any terrorist attack. I commend the efforts of the governor and the port administration for enforcing the new policy. The local customs also need to work together with local business to expedite the process to satisfy both parties of the safety, health, and welfare of our people of Tutuila and Manu'atele.
Soifua,
Amerika Samoa ia Mataala!
Savaii P. Amitoelau
Olosegia, Manu’a
Dear Editor,
"CONGRATULATIONS"
I would like to offer my congratulation to our congressman, Falemaovaega Eni Hunkin for his recent selection to be the ad hoc chairman of the house committee as a whole to conduct the session on the floor of the US House of Representatives in Congress Washington DC on April 03, 2008. His outstanding record of service, performance, and achievement while representing our territory in almost 20 years in Congress has earned him this distinguished and historic privilege and honor.
American Samoa should be proud of this and I am grateful to the leaders our neighboring countries in the Pacific and a few in our territory who have recognized and also extended their congratulatory acknowledgement to Eni of this unprecedented milestone in our political history of representation in the United States Congress. His distinguished public and government service record speaks for itself and never before has any none voting delegate to Congress had been accorded such honor, let alone being a Samoan native.
My family and I would continue to joint the prayers of our people of our territory for the Congressman's health and wellbeing to continue his great service to our territory and our US government. The election year is fast approaching I hope the people of AS will continue to recognize Eni's outstanding service and re-elect him again to represent our people in Washington DC for the next term.
From my family to Eni, Congratulations! . . .we would also like to wish the very best to you and your family and your unwavering desire to continue serving our people.
"CONGRATULATIONS"
Soifua,
Amerika Samoa ia Mataala!
Savaii P. Amitoelau
Olosega, Manu’a
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