W. Samoa and the “Texas” visit

In your publication for October, 1985, you published a letter by Sam Burris, Hilo, Hawaii, USA, which contained a number of misleading concepts of the visit of the U.S.S. Texas to Western Samoa in May, 1985. This letter clearly indicates the ignor ance of Sam in a number of areas. To help the readers understand better I detail a few facts trusting you will print them.

Firstly, Western Samoa as a sovereign state does not qualify to any country her decisions from time to time in prior areas of her interests. This includes the services provided for the upkeep of the U.S.S. Texas crewmen and, more specifical ly, I will have to agree that U.S.S. Texas was in Western Samoan waters, but outside of the “port”. It was never allowed into the Apia harbor. Secondly, my prime minister is in every way correct if his statement meant “that” particular visit.

What has come out of it so far?

After helping we showed them the road. Did we not? Our prime minister was one of the signatories to the Rarotonga treaty against nuclear weapons and waste disposal! If Sam’s speculation that Western Samoa and American Samoa are “targeted” even when we are not a nuclear state does not mean that on the same specula tions “all” the countries of the world are targeted? If this be the case, isn’t it then all the wiser to be friends with others who could help? Western Samoa knows and recognises her allies for all facets of security; and, if USSR has a weapon with our name on it, I believe USA has one with USSR on it for our name! We do not take chances with hypocrites and we “hate” liars.

The most interesting fact of all is Sam’s insinuation that Western Samoa should join New Zealand in their quest to

ban any form of nuclear. New Zealand is doing what they think is best. Western Samoa is doing what we think is best.

The country that might be hurt the most because of friendship ties is USA. Yet USA is doing what the president and the congress consider is best for her people. If Sam is partly “that people”, does his president know his valuable ideas? Why does he worry about a country that earns its living from bana nas yet he fattens himself from the revenues of nuclear sales?

Peace and sanity start from “within” never from “without” unless by force.

If you are not sitting on a bomb yourself and looking up wards to 10 more, then perhaps you have better peace because you see these things but we don’t.

Laulu Dan Stanley

Apia Western Samoa