

Currently released so far... 12900 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AE
ASEC
AS
AR
AMGT
AFIN
AORC
AU
AG
AF
APER
ABLD
ADCO
ABUD
AM
AID
AJ
AEMR
AMED
AL
ASUP
AN
AIT
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AA
AGMT
AINF
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AY
AADP
ARF
ACS
AGR
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
APEC
APECO
AFGHANISTAN
ACAO
ASEAN
ADM
AGAO
AND
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
AROC
APCS
AORG
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AZ
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
BR
BO
BA
BM
BL
BH
BK
BEXP
BILAT
BTIO
BF
BU
BD
BY
BE
BG
BB
BBSR
BT
BRUSSELS
BP
BX
BC
BIDEN
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CA
CS
CO
CD
CR
CPAS
CDG
CI
CDC
CBW
CU
CVIS
CE
CONS
CH
CMGT
CASC
CY
CW
CG
CJAN
CIDA
CODEL
CWC
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CFED
CLINTON
CAC
CL
CACS
CIC
CHR
CAPC
CM
CT
CTR
COM
CROS
CN
COPUOS
CV
CF
CARSON
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
CYPRUS
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EFIN
ECON
ETRD
EAID
EC
EU
EUN
EINV
EG
ETTC
EIND
ELAB
EAGR
ECIN
EINT
ENRG
EFIS
ELTN
EAIR
EPET
EZ
ET
ENERG
ECPS
EWWT
EI
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ER
ES
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ECINECONCS
ELN
EFTA
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
ENIV
ESA
EPA
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUR
ECUN
EXIM
EK
EUREM
ECONOMY
EUMEM
ERNG
EFINECONCS
EAIDS
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
IQ
IR
IS
IN
IA
IC
IZ
ICRC
ID
IDA
IT
IO
IAEA
ICJ
ICAO
IV
IBRD
IMF
IAHRC
IWC
ILO
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
ICTY
INRB
ITALY
IBET
IL
INTELSAT
ISRAELI
IMO
IDP
ICTR
ITRA
IRC
IRAQI
IEFIN
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
ISRAEL
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
IACI
INDO
KPAO
KMDR
KCOR
KNNP
KJUS
KCRM
KDEM
KVPR
KTFN
KPRP
KTIP
KSCA
KSUM
KTEX
KIDE
KIRF
KV
KTIA
KN
KG
KFRD
KWMN
KUNR
KISL
KU
KGHG
KPKO
KOMS
KPAL
KIPR
KMCA
KOMC
KRVC
KSEP
KAWC
KOLY
KWBG
KACT
KFLO
KHIV
KZ
KGIC
KBCT
KDRG
KBTR
KCFE
KE
KHLS
KMPI
KAWK
KPWR
KIRC
KRAD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLU
KPLS
KRIM
KSTH
KDDG
KPRV
KICC
KS
KSAF
KBIO
KREC
KCGC
KCIP
KTDB
KWAC
KPAI
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KSTC
KMFO
KID
KNAR
KMIG
KVRP
KNEI
KGIT
KNSD
KHDP
KSAC
KWMM
KR
KCOM
KAID
KENV
KVIR
KHSA
KO
KCRS
KPOA
KTER
KFIN
KSPR
KTBT
KX
KCMR
KMOC
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KOCI
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KPIR
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
MARR
MOPS
MUCN
MCAP
MNUC
MEPP
MTCRE
MASS
MO
MIL
MX
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTCR
MK
MG
MA
MY
MU
ML
MPS
MW
MD
MARAD
MC
MR
MT
MTRE
MASC
MRCRE
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MASSMNUC
NI
NZ
NL
NO
NPT
NATO
NS
NU
NP
NPA
NSFO
NDP
NT
NW
NASA
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NG
NATIONAL
NSSP
NV
NSF
NK
NA
NEW
NPG
NR
NGO
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NSC
OIIP
OPRC
OTRA
OEXC
OREP
OSCE
OVIP
OPAD
OBSP
OECD
OFFICIALS
OAS
OPDC
ODIP
OPCW
OES
OFDP
OPIC
OCS
OIC
OHUM
OSCI
OVP
ODC
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PINR
PGOV
PARM
PE
PTER
PHUM
PO
PINS
PREF
PK
PM
POL
PBTS
PNAT
PHSA
PAS
PA
PL
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PROP
PP
PINL
PBT
PTBS
PG
PINF
PRL
PALESTINIAN
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
PREFA
PMIL
POLITICS
POLICY
PROV
PBIO
PREO
PAO
PDOV
PGOF
POV
PCI
PRAM
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PJUS
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
RU
RS
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RO
RW
RCMP
RSO
RP
RM
ROOD
RFE
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RF
RELATIONS
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
SENV
SY
SNAR
SCUL
SP
SF
SW
SOCI
SU
SMIG
SO
SA
SR
SZ
SI
SC
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SK
SH
SNARCS
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SG
SL
SYRIA
SIPRS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SWE
SYR
SEN
SCRS
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SENVKGHG
SANC
SHI
SHUM
TU
TSPA
TBIO
TS
TRGY
TINT
TPHY
TN
TW
TH
TZ
TSPL
TP
TBID
TI
TF
TD
TT
TNGD
TL
TC
THPY
TIP
TX
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
TR
UK
UNSC
UNGA
UNESCO
UNHRC
UP
UN
USTR
US
UNDC
UY
UNICEF
UNDP
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
UG
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
UNEP
USEU
UZ
UNCND
USUN
UNCHR
USNC
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08WELLINGTON55, CODEL FALEOMAVAEGA STRESSES USG SUPPORT FOR PACIFIC; STRONG
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08WELLINGTON55.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08WELLINGTON55 | 2008-02-21 01:04 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Wellington |
VZCZCXRO3009
RR RUEHNZ
DE RUEHWL #0055/01 0520104
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 210104Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5076
INFO RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 1625
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 5107
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0644
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 WELLINGTON 000055
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR STATE FOR EAP/ANP
PACOM FOR J01E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM SOCI NZ
SUBJECT: CODEL FALEOMAVAEGA STRESSES USG SUPPORT FOR PACIFIC; STRONG
BILATERAL TIES WITH NEW ZEALAND
¶1. (U) Summary. Codel Faleomavaega visited New Zealand from
January 31 to February 7. In Auckland, the Codel met with ConGen
staff to discuss consular issues and traveled to Whangarei for the
Waitangi Day celebrations on February 5-6. On February 4, the Codel
held meetings in Wellington with Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
Winnie Laban and Minister for Climate Change David Parker, and paid
a courtesy call on the Ambassador. The Ambassador welcomed the
Codel's visit and Congressman Faleomavaega's longstanding interest
in Pacific affairs; he urged the Congressman to promote renewed
Congressional engagement through the Asia Pacific Parliamentary
Forum (APPF). The Codel also visited the Maori Language Commission
and heard of the Commission's ongoing efforts to increase Maori
fluency among Maori peoples as well as more broadly within New
Zealand society. In all of his meetings, the Codel underscored the
warm US-NZ bilateral relationship and USG interest in East Asia,
particularly in the Pacific Islands. End Summary.
Remote Visa Processing for Samoan Applicants
--------------------------------------------
¶2. (U) On February 1, Congressman Faleomavaega met with Consul
General John Desrocher and Consular Chief Nick Greanias in ConGen
Auckland offices. The principal subject of discussion was the
Remote NIV Adjudication Program in Independent Samoa, wherein a
conoff from Auckland visits Apia every quarter for one week for the
sole purpose of doing NIV interviews. Congressman Faleomavaega, who
had pushed hard for the institution of the program in late 2006,
said he wanted to make sure the program was running well and
requested a progress report. In a wide-ranging discussion, all
participants agreed that it was functioning as intended, saving 125
Samoan residents every three months the expense and trouble of a
trip to Auckland or elsewhere for an NIV interview. Everyone also
agreed on the need to seek out any technical improvements that
speeded up the interviews on Apia. For example, if local systems
capacity increased to enable a conoff to conduct an interview in six
minutes - still a very long time by consular standards - from the
current 12 minutes, the capacity each week in Apia would at least
double, thereby matching present need. Desrocher and Greanias
promised to keep Faleomavaega posted on any developments in this
area. The Congressman noted that he was getting numerous inquiries
from constituents asking if their Tongan spouses could take
advantage of the program. Greanias confirmed that there is nothing
barring Tongans in Samoa from seeking visas in Apia, but that few
have taken advantage of remote processing so far.
¶3. (SBU) On February 7, Codel Faleomavaega met with GNZ Minister
for Pacific Island Affairs Winnie Laban. Congressman Faleomavaega
noted that, in his capacity as Chairman of Asia and Pacific
Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he is
interested in pursuing stronger USG engagement in the region and
greater Washington focus on the Pacific Island nations. The
Congressman thanked New Zealand for its cooperation with the US,
noting that remittances and trade from New Zealand to the Pacific
has contributed to stability. He added that despite the modest
population of the island countries, the region supplies over half of
the world's tuna and seabed mineral mining may be economically
viable in the future. East Asia is the U.S.' largest trading
partner and the USG military plays a key role in regional stability
and security.
¶4. (SBU) Minister Laban responded that she remains optimistic
about the Pacific region's future and commended the positive US-NZ
bilateral relationship. New Zealand is a small country, but wants
to support sustainable development among the island nations. She
added that the NZ Business Council will host a business exposition
in Auckland from March 5-6 to promote the private sector of the
Pacific Islands. Laban pointed to two-way trade as a hallmark of
New Zealand's approach to helping the islands strengthen their
economies. One-way trade will only foster continued aid dependency,
she said. Congressman Faleomavaega stressed the need for better
education and improved management of fisheries; he commented that
the leasing arrangements of some islands are not equitable. The
Congressman discussed prospects for aquaculture development using
Israeli research models.
¶5. (SBU) In his meeting with Minister for Climate Change David
Parker, Congressman Faleomavaega applauded the Clark government's
proposed climate change policy. Minister Parker said that the GNZ
supported the USG position that developing countries need to
contribute; equivalent effort is a sound principle. He argued that
developed countries need to discuss capital flows to the developing
world and how best to promote clean development. There are policies
and cheap fixes that might be achieved through legislation and
regulatory framework - developed countries should not have to
WELLINGTON 00000055 002 OF 003
finance everything. Parker deplored the attitude of some attendees
at Bali that the developed world should foot the bill for climate
change. For New Zealand, the country can do well on the energy
front as New Zealand is blessed with renewable energy resources,
continued Parker.
¶6. (SBU) Congressman Faleomavaega outlined his role on the global
environment within the House of Representatives, and informed Parker
that he would hold hearings on vulnerable islands in the next month.
Tuvalu is one example of a low-lying country that could be in a
dangerous situation as the ocean rises, and the Congressman promised
to stay in touch with the GNZ on these issues. Parker responded
that such countries must pursue adaptation, look to new technologies
such as solar energy, and rethink subsidies that damage their energy
policies. US companies are starting to do more with innovative
technologies, and Parker cited one US venture capitalist fund
financing solar technology research with mirrors vice photovoltaic
cells. Parker summed up by saying that the world is not short of
energy, but people are focused on using the wrong technologies.
Protection of natural resources, e.g., fisheries, is often sidelined
due to corruption, the Minister added.
Ambassador, Codel Discuss US-NZ Bilateral Relations
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶7. (SBU) During a February 4 courtesy call, the Ambassador
welcomed Faleomavaega's visit, outlined the positive areas of
bilateral engagement with New Zealand (e.g., Afghanistan, science
and technology, Antarctica) and briefed the Congressman on USTR's
recent P-4 announcement. He welcomed his interest in Maori language
preservation in New Zealand, describing it as the "gold standard."
Congressman Faleomavaega agreed that the nuclear issue should no
longer detract from strengthening bilateral ties, and mentioned
prospects for a fiber optic broadband line in Samoa. He and the
Ambassador discussed the need for greater fisheries protection in
the southern Pacific, aquaculture development and issues surrounding
canneries in the Pacific islands. The Ambassador urged that
Congress re-engage with the region through the Asia Pacific
Parliamentary Forum (APPF).
Maori Language: Model for Indigenous Language Promotion
--------------------------------------------- ---------
¶8. (U) At the Maori Language Commission, Faleomavaega met with
Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of the Commission, who was accompanied
by a number of staff members. Congressman Faleomavaega explained
his interest in developing stronger ties with the Commission due to
identifying best practices that might be useful for Samoan language
preservation. The Congressman noted the growing lack of Samoan
language knowledge among Samoan youth; there may be applications for
Native American languages as well. Language is the umbilical cord
that ties people to their culture, noted the Congressman, who added
that the Hawaiian language is making a resurgence.
¶9. (U) CEO Rokx briefed the Congressman on the Commission's
progress in launching the publication of a Maori dictionary as the
first step towards a more thorough research of the origins of the
Maori language and its relationship to other Polynesian languages.
The CEO underscored the close working relationship that the
Commission has with the education sector, which has been key to
language revitalization efforts. The Commission is also stressing
intergenerational use of language within the home, increased adult
education, and the use of radio and television to increase home
exposure to the Maori language. Rokx said the Commission,
established in 1987, remains focused on increasing Maori language
literacy. When 80 percent of the Maori population is involved in
achieving some level of fluency, then the Commission's work will be
well on its way, she noted. One of the limiting factors at present
is the lack of skilled Maori language instructors.
Waitangi Day
------------
¶10. (SBU) On February 5 and 6, Codel Faleomavaega and conoff
traveled to Waitangi, northern New Zealand, to participate in events
surrounding Waitangi Day, New Zealand's de facto national day. The
Codel attended the Governor-General's receptions in Waitangi on
February 5 and had a private dinner that night with Foreign Minister
Winston Peters. During the reception, Faleomavaega had pull-aside
meetings with Prime Minister Helen Clark, opposition leader John
Key, and Minister of (among other portfolios) Youth Namia Mahuta.
All these meetings kept in the general spirit of emphasizing ways
for the relationship between New Zealand and the United States to
grow in understanding and mutual benefit. The dinner with Peters,
WELLINGTON 00000055 003 OF 003
an old friend of the Congressman, was highly convivial. The single
policy message between the two principals was the shared concern
that the United States should be better represented in Pacific
matters; in the resulting vacuum, China and Taiwan have played a
stronger role.
¶11. (SBU) Codel Faleomavaega did not have the opportunity to clear
this message.
KEEGAN