He made this promise while delivering the keynote address at the celebration marking 150 years of work by the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary [SMSM] in Samoa.

Tuilaepa announced an immediate gift to the sisters from the government of [Samoan Tala] $20,000.00.

"Every year the government gives $6 million to assist church schools," he said. "It's been done for the past years and the government is also helping by providing free fees for all schools.

"God will also show the way to pay for your teachers if not tomorrow, in another 500 years that will happen."

"We are tested in those ways if we still have people like Sr. Marie de la Merci and Sr. Marie Rose. But that will be discussed this afternoon by Cabinet."

The Head of State and former Marist student, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi led the jubilee march.

He was followed by her Highness, Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese and hundreds of current and old pupils of St. Mary's.

Rita Matafeo, of the S.M.S.M Committee, paid tribute to a school that has raised many national leaders.

"I would say to Samoa, there goes your Prime Minister," she said. "There goes your Chief Justice (Patu Tiava'asue Falefatu Sapolu) and there goes your parliament.

Source

• Samoa Observer
• Image: Samoa Observer/Lanu Tpufia

"It was a decision by the Council to try and ensure no lives will be wasted and blood is not shed." They visited because they wanted the people of Satapuala "to feel God's presence and remind them that the heart of God is about keeping the peace," said Le'aupepe.

There is a long standing land dispute between Satapuala and the government over land now legally under the Samoa Trust Estates Corporation opposite Faleolo international airport.

The Satapuala village council recently delivered a letter to the Prime Minister asking the government to return part of the disputed land.

Villagers then set up a security watch post on disputed land after Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi said that police will soon take up camp on site.

Village orator Vaili Mimita confirmed the village's decision saying that matais from various sub-villages of Satapuala will take turns in keeping watch over the lands.

Vaili had previously announced the village's intention of taking over the airport.

Rev Le'aupepe was accompanied by an NCC delegation consisting of the President of the Methodist Church, Reverend Aisoli Iuli and Reverend Nu'uausala Siaosi of the Apia Protestant Church.

Vaili told the Samoa Observer they politely thanked the NCC for their visit and told them that Satapuala's decision stands.

"They (the delegation) told some of our matai that the Government had requested for their help as spiritual leaders of Samoa," said Vaili.

"We all knew that this was the Prime Minister's tactic in thinking that it would solve the problem, but he is wrong again."

Source

• The Samoa Observer
• Radio New Zealand International
• Talamua
• Image: Talamua

Samoa complained after Campbell Live aired a story questioning how $59.4 million of 2009 tsunami relief money had been spent in Samoa. "This is not about being embarrassed or being vindictive," says Tuila'epa. "The only thing the government wants is to remove the false impression that money has been misused because of misreporting."The fact is John Campbell misreported."

He also disliked the way Campbell had interviewed him outside a restaurant. "Those are the mannerisms of palagi (white person) who do not understand the protocols and station of a national leader."
"His behaviour is that of a small child with no manners."

Long time editor of the Samoa Observer Savea Sano Malifa comments "Which is why his complaints have got to be decided by the Supreme Court of New Zealand. And let's not worry about money, Tuilaepa assuages. 'Money is not an issue (here.)' Not when it's used to clear 'the country's good name' after it's been 'dragged through the international mud.' Now let's see. How much did it cost the public in legal fees incurred in the BSA case? That would be good to know. It would show the government is indeed accountable to the public. After all, despite what Tuilaepa is advocating, money is still everything. Only those who hold the public's purse strings don't worry about money."

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Samoaobserver.ws
• Image: One Samoana