Red sails in a Polynesian sunset

From FELISE VA’A in Apia

A much-publicised report that the Soviet Government is negotiating with the Kingdom of Tonga for the establishment of a Soviet fishing base in Tonga has received a mixed reaction here. Some people are vehemently against it. Others see in the establishment of such a base as a benefit to the kingdom. A few have even gone so far as to say that they would welcome the Communists in Western Samoa.

The report, however, has caused a lot of stir in Western capitals. According to a Samoa Times report, Prime Minister Tupuola Efi has received an offer to visit the United States, presumably for a discussion on “the communist menace”. The New Zealand Government is also reportedly interested in a visit by Tupuola.

But the Western nations are not the only ones interested in a “holy alliance” with Western Samoa. Communist China is also particularly interested. Mr Chang Ying, counsellor and charge d’affaires of the People’s Republic of China in Fiji, has warned against Soviet intrusion in the South Pacific. While visiting Western Samoa for the 14th independence anniversary celebrations in June, Mr Ying told the Samoa Times in an inter view that the Russians are bullies and want to control the world.

The Russians do not come here to help but to control”, he said.

The Western nations, apparently, don’t want a Soviet presence in the South Pacific which is supposed to be a strictly western sphere of interest. The ANZUS pact is the embodiment of this interest. Neither do the Communist Chinese want the Soviets here. This is, of course, already largely explained by the differences over boundaries and ideologies between the USSR and Communist China.

But where does Western Samoa stand? Tupuola has not made his position clear. A socialist of a sort, Tupuola can be ex pected to be more sympathetic towards the Communists, than, for example, former Prime Minister Tamasese.

Also, he would not like to antagonise King Taufa’ahau over the Russian question in view of his proposed deal concerning air line expansion in Tonga. Thus, it is not expected that Tupuola can do much to neutralise the Russian “danger”. The best that the Western countries can do is to try to convince Tupuola that the Communist Chinese should not be granted similar favours in Western Samoa. But would this be asking for too much?

Certainly it is reported that King Taufa’ahau has confirmed the report but he has made it clear that negotiations over the fishing base are only preliminary ones. No definite decisions have been made. In return for the base, the Russians are prepared to build an international airport for Tonga and assist in the development of industries in Tonga.

According to the Samoa Times, the Russians told the king that if the deal goes through, “Tonga would benefit from the development of fishing and canning locally as well as from trade, scientific research and sport.” The negotiations are still con tinuing between Tonga and the Russian Embassy in New Zealand.

It is not merely that the Western nations are afraid that the communists may be able to find a foothold at their back door.

They may also be concerned that the South Pacific nations may find in the communists better partners for their economic

development efforts.

“When stomachs are empty, people will do anything,” is an old saying. Hopefully, this will not be the case.