Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 18, 2006 22:10:30 GMT 12
NZ troops were transported today in two Hercules and a Boeing to Tonga where, with Australian troops working as an ANZAC contingent, they have secured the Tongan airport during the near Civil War there at the moment.
From the Radio New Zealand Site
www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200611181801/anzac_defence_force_secures_tongan_airport
Anzac defence force secures Tongan airport
Posted at 6:01pm on 18 Nov 2006
The New Zealand joint defence force contingent has secured Tonga's international airport.
The commander of the New Zealand and Australian deployment says his troops have the power to shoot, and Tonga is under martial law, following this week's rioting.
Tonga requested security assistance after two days of violence by pro-democracy rioters that left the capital, Nuku'alofa, devastated by arson and looting.
Two Hercules and a Boeing aircraft flew out of Ohakea and Christchurch on Saturday loaded with police, soldiers, government officials and equipment.
New Zealand has sent 60 soldiers and a lieutenant colonel, who will command the joint New Zealand-Australia force. Australia is sending 50 soldiers and 35 police, including forensic experts who will help identify bodies of those killed.
Unrest eases
Tonga's police commander says order has been restored to the capital, Nuku'alofa on Saturday, with 20 arrests so far.
The official death toll from the riots stands at six, with police saying they have yet to confirm reports of two more deaths.
Commander Sinilau Kolo says two Chinese-owned businesses were torched on Friday night, but there have been no further incidents of disorder.
He says the arrests were for arson, looting and drunkenness - and more are expected. There are 120 police on the ground in Nuku'alofa.
Commander Kolo says Thursday's night's destruction in the capital happened because the police were outnumbered by a mob of 3,000 people.
The chief editor of radio and television for Tonga News says Broadcasting House in Nuku'alofa remains a target. Nanise Fifta says rioters have threatened to torch the building because the service is government-owned.
Radio New Zealand's Pacific correspondent says power and phone services remained intermittent on Saturday, and a curfew was in place.
Flights to resume Monday
Commercial flights to Tonga are due to resume on Monday after the civil unrest there led airlines to stop services.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is working with Tongan authorities to resume flights. The first, an Air New Zealand service, is scheduled to leave Auckland at 9.30am Monday.
MFAT says any travellers going to Tonga should ensure they have appropriate insurance cover.
The ministry is also warning travellers to continue to avoid the downtown area of the capital Nuku'alofa, especially around government buildings.
It says violence could break out with little warning and though foreigners have not been targetted, it is possible for travellers to get caught up in the unrest.
Pacific Blue cancelled a flight out of Tonga on Thursday, but says one flight scheduled for Monday is due to leave.
Meanwhile, travel agents are continuing efforts to contact New Zealand tourists in Tonga. There are about 600 New Zealanders working or resident in Tonga, and about 100 tourists.
Airport security
Prime Minister Helen Clark says the 60 New Zealand defence force personnel will be providing security so the airport can continue operating.
Miss Clark says concern about Tonga is heightened because of similar unrest recently in Solomon Islands and the threat of a coup in Fiji. She says Tonga's army and police are too stretched to provide security for the airport.
Aust PM sees long haul ahead
Australian Prime Minister John Howard says his country and New Zealand are likely to have to help out troubled South Pacific nations for many years to come.
Mr Howard says deploying police and troops to Tonga is unlikely to be the last time the two countries have to help in such a way.
He says he has concerns about the stability of the South Pacific and that part of the trouble is that some countries are simply not big enough to be sustainable.
However, Mr Howard says he does not expect the troops and police being sent to Tonga will stay there long. He says he is not expecting the deployment to be dangerous.
From the Radio New Zealand Site
www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200611181801/anzac_defence_force_secures_tongan_airport
Anzac defence force secures Tongan airport
Posted at 6:01pm on 18 Nov 2006
The New Zealand joint defence force contingent has secured Tonga's international airport.
The commander of the New Zealand and Australian deployment says his troops have the power to shoot, and Tonga is under martial law, following this week's rioting.
Tonga requested security assistance after two days of violence by pro-democracy rioters that left the capital, Nuku'alofa, devastated by arson and looting.
Two Hercules and a Boeing aircraft flew out of Ohakea and Christchurch on Saturday loaded with police, soldiers, government officials and equipment.
New Zealand has sent 60 soldiers and a lieutenant colonel, who will command the joint New Zealand-Australia force. Australia is sending 50 soldiers and 35 police, including forensic experts who will help identify bodies of those killed.
Unrest eases
Tonga's police commander says order has been restored to the capital, Nuku'alofa on Saturday, with 20 arrests so far.
The official death toll from the riots stands at six, with police saying they have yet to confirm reports of two more deaths.
Commander Sinilau Kolo says two Chinese-owned businesses were torched on Friday night, but there have been no further incidents of disorder.
He says the arrests were for arson, looting and drunkenness - and more are expected. There are 120 police on the ground in Nuku'alofa.
Commander Kolo says Thursday's night's destruction in the capital happened because the police were outnumbered by a mob of 3,000 people.
The chief editor of radio and television for Tonga News says Broadcasting House in Nuku'alofa remains a target. Nanise Fifta says rioters have threatened to torch the building because the service is government-owned.
Radio New Zealand's Pacific correspondent says power and phone services remained intermittent on Saturday, and a curfew was in place.
Flights to resume Monday
Commercial flights to Tonga are due to resume on Monday after the civil unrest there led airlines to stop services.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is working with Tongan authorities to resume flights. The first, an Air New Zealand service, is scheduled to leave Auckland at 9.30am Monday.
MFAT says any travellers going to Tonga should ensure they have appropriate insurance cover.
The ministry is also warning travellers to continue to avoid the downtown area of the capital Nuku'alofa, especially around government buildings.
It says violence could break out with little warning and though foreigners have not been targetted, it is possible for travellers to get caught up in the unrest.
Pacific Blue cancelled a flight out of Tonga on Thursday, but says one flight scheduled for Monday is due to leave.
Meanwhile, travel agents are continuing efforts to contact New Zealand tourists in Tonga. There are about 600 New Zealanders working or resident in Tonga, and about 100 tourists.
Airport security
Prime Minister Helen Clark says the 60 New Zealand defence force personnel will be providing security so the airport can continue operating.
Miss Clark says concern about Tonga is heightened because of similar unrest recently in Solomon Islands and the threat of a coup in Fiji. She says Tonga's army and police are too stretched to provide security for the airport.
Aust PM sees long haul ahead
Australian Prime Minister John Howard says his country and New Zealand are likely to have to help out troubled South Pacific nations for many years to come.
Mr Howard says deploying police and troops to Tonga is unlikely to be the last time the two countries have to help in such a way.
He says he has concerns about the stability of the South Pacific and that part of the trouble is that some countries are simply not big enough to be sustainable.
However, Mr Howard says he does not expect the troops and police being sent to Tonga will stay there long. He says he is not expecting the deployment to be dangerous.
