Posted on 07/04/2004 6:37:01 PM PDT by bunkerhill7
TONGANS JOIN I MEF FORCES IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Approximately 45 Royal Marines from the Kingdom of Tonga have arrived in Iraq to augment the I Marine Expeditionary Force in the Al Anbar Province, marking the first peacekeeping deployment for the Tongan Defense Service outside of the South Pacific.
"The 1st Marine Division welcomes the addition of the Tongan Royal Marines to our forces," said Col. Stephen Baker, the commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division -- the unit the Tongans will be augmenting. "We are thankful for their country's commitment to help us bring security and stability to the Iraqis in the Al Anbar Province and we look forward to working with them."
The Royal Marines are members of a ready reaction force and will augment existing security for the 1st Marine Division Headquarters at Camp Blue Diamond Main. The duration of their deployment is unknown at this time.
Tonga decided to join in the fight against global terrorism June 15.
Release #040704a
I think about 395 NM. Not enough distance for either of them ;)
Samoans and Tongans (Tonganese?) don't get along?
Well, there was a little matter of a war between Tonga and Samoa a long time ago. But of course things are all patched up now. But then I'm an expat in Tonga, so....
,,, so... it's a long way to anywhere in a rowboat now Royal Tongan Airlines are kaput. Boil up some taro for the rowboat's turbocharger!
oops, my post 24 was for you or anyone who might know
There have been some astronauts splash down in the area back when they were still doing that; I didn't know they were thinking of doing that in reverse out there.
I can't even discuss the RTA issue. My husband testified before the commission and freely offered help, but we're foreigners. As much as I want to go back to NZ, I'd prefer it not to be due to deportation!
If only more visitors to our country (USA) were as respectful....
Tonga didn't get the contract. It went to another Pacific island country, but my hubby and I can't remember which at the moment(it's that age thing.LOL).
Tonga changed it's constitution last year, limiting free speach. Anything spoken against the gov't can be considered sedition.
Oh, thanks for the clarification... are there other restrictions as well, for instance, religion? I became interested in the area because Samoa was in the news recently, and from what I read, Samoa is a very religious and Christian area.
Excellent. 45 Royal Marines. Thank you Tonga. Thats ninety more balls in Iraq than France has. :o)
Am I correct in thinking (after having read it) that the ruler of Tonga is a king who was something like 450 pounds, but he went on a diet and was a svelte 300 pounds?
Having no first hand knowledge, and never seeing anything more of him in person than his motorcade, I could not comment on that. (I've learned so much about diplomacy since being here. LOL. With so few expats, the only people to socialise with are foreign dignataries.)
From Flanders and Swann:
Philological Waltz
Oh, it's hard to say:
'Hoolima Kittiluca Cheecheechee'
But in Tonga that means:
No
If I ever have the money
Is to Tonga I shall go
For each lovely Tongan maiden there
Will gladly make a date
And by the time she's said
'Hoolima Kittiluca Cheecheechee'
It is usaully too late!
Fascinating answer--thank you very much for your firsthand insight.
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