U.S. drastically miscalculates Tonga’s independence day
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton yesterday congratulated the island kingdom of Tonga on 40 years of independence. The only problem is that Tonga never really lost its independence. The lone Pacific monarchy became a British "protected state" in 1900, but it maintained an indigenous government with full control over domestic affairs. In 1970, ...
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton yesterday congratulated the island kingdom of Tonga on 40 years of independence. The only problem is that Tonga never really lost its independence. The lone Pacific monarchy became a British "protected state" in 1900, but it maintained an indigenous government with full control over domestic affairs. In 1970, Tonga declined British protection and joined the British Commonwealth. The CIA cites 1970 as the year Tonga gained its independence, but in a footnote it notes that the independence designation is not always used to indicate a country has cast off the shackles of colonial domination. Sometimes, it is simply used to mark "some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government or state succession." That appears to be the case for Tonga.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton yesterday congratulated the island kingdom of Tonga on 40 years of independence. The only problem is that Tonga never really lost its independence. The lone Pacific monarchy became a British "protected state" in 1900, but it maintained an indigenous government with full control over domestic affairs. In 1970, Tonga declined British protection and joined the British Commonwealth. The CIA cites 1970 as the year Tonga gained its independence, but in a footnote it notes that the independence designation is not always used to indicate a country has cast off the shackles of colonial domination. Sometimes, it is simply used to mark "some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government or state succession." That appears to be the case for Tonga.
The Kingdom of Tonga’s National Day
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
November 2, 2010
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of the Kingdom of Tonga on your National Day this November 4th. As you mark 40 years of independence, we join in celebrating Tonga’s unique cultural history and the long-standing friendship between our countries. The United States welcomes Tonga’s continued transition to democracy, and we look forward to the upcoming elections as Tongans affirm their commitment to the principles of freedom and self-determination.
We are committed to deepening our partnership with Tonga, both bilaterally and through regional institutions such as the Pacific Islands Forum and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Tonga has contributed significantly to international peace and security in recent years, and our continued cooperation is critical as we work together to improve maritime security, promote renewable energy, combat climate change, and address many other issues of mutual concern. I look forward to strengthening the friendship between our nations in the years to come, and I wish all citizens of the Kingdom of Tonga a joyous celebration
Follow me on Twitter @columlynch
Colum Lynch was a staff writer at Foreign Policy between 2010 and 2022. Twitter: @columlynch
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