The prime minister was speaking during the closing ceremony of the American Samoa 2009 Flag Day festivities, at Tafuna, during the weekend.
“I listened with great interest to the governor’s remarks and in particular the proposed reforms the government of American Samoa is contemplating,” Tuilaepa said of American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono’s remarks during the opening.
“The issues mentioned by the governor, in relation to the future political status of American Samoa and the nature of the nationality of your people, are pertinent ones,” the PM said.
“As many here would know, the forefathers of Western Samoa went through and agonized over similar issues during the so called colonial era.
“The actions and decisions they took had much to do with their sense of a future that should bring equality we expect and dignity between peoples and between nations.
“I have no doubt, in a similar way, the government and people of American Samoa would give very careful examination, and debate thoroughly the issues at stake for American Samoa and arrive at outcomes that would best serve the interest of American Samoa and its future generations.
“Under these circumstances, it is imperative for the two Samoas to try as much as we can to cooperate in every area available.
“We are already doing this successfully in the… sector of telecommunication, and with mixed success in the various other facets of our engagement.
“We obviously need to do more and we must continue to collaborate and cooperate in working towards goals that would mutually benefit our islands.”
The two-Samoas have been holding inter-Samoa talks between Tuilaepa and Togiola and their representatives to discuss and agree on a wide range of issues.
Telecommunication regarding the fiber optic cable was one of the major points of discussion during the 2007 inter-Samoa talks held in Apia.
Closer cooperation between the two Samoas was even extended to sports with Gov. Togiola Tulafono announcing during the award ceremony that Tuilaepa played a key role in bringing Samoa’s rugby teams — which included some well known Manu Samoa players — to the Flag Day rugby matches.
In addition, Tuilaepa — who is also president of the Samoa rugby union — was able to provide referees for the local matches.
The governor thanked Tuilaepa for his great assistance in the development of rugby in the territory, saying the Prime Minister is working on getting a team from the territory into the International Rugby Board.
