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Samoa Briefs

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SAMOA ASSURED OF USA’s CONTINUED SUPPORT

Apia, SAMOA — The U.S. Charge de Affairs to Samoa, Angeline Wilinson has assured the Samoa media that the United States Government will continue supporting Samoa whoever becomes the 45th President, this was based on reports out of outlets in Samoa. The comments were made to the media before the official count of the election Wednesday evening (Samoa Time).

According to Talamua online, Wilinson was responding to the concerns raised by many people who believed America’s support to Samoa through aids and other means, will either cease to exist or dropped, when Donald Trump takes office.  Wilinson told the media that under “the constitution of the United States, it’s very clear that the countries that America supports and whoever becomes President, the support will continue.”

During the election night of the 45th United States President, American citizens and guests were invited to watch the countdown of the election live from America at the US Embassy residence at Vailima, Samoa and amongst the guests were other countries’ diplomatic representatives to Samoa, who watched the countdown with interest. As soon as media outlets declared Trump as president, the guests were obviously disappointed and left the Embassy earlier than anticipated. While there were Trump supporters, a majority of the crowd were all in favor of Hillary Clinton who was defeated in the Presidential race.

SAMOA CABINET SUPPORTS PARKER’S TITLE FIGHT

Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Government has pledged to their support for Lupesoliai Laauliolemalietoa Joseph Parker’s world title fight in Auckland on December 10, 2016 and has donated $100,00 USD. The funds was approved in Cabinet this week and Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made the announcement during his radio program on SamoaFM.

According to Tuilaepa this would be a great opportunity to promote Samoa with 100 million global viewers as  Lupesoliai in past fights showcases both flags of New Zealand and Samoa and also the National Anthem of Samoa and New Zealand prior to his big fights.

Undefeated Lupesoliai will fight undefeated Mexican American Andy Ruiz Jr. at the Vector Arena, in Auckland, for the WBO world heavyweight title. Samoa News notes that this is the first time the WBO World Heavyweight Championship has been contested in New Zealand and the title is currently vacant after British champion Tyson Fury relinquished it last month.

ISRAEL WELCOMED IN SAMOA

Apia, SAMOA — Last month, the latest Ambassador designated to Samoa was Dr. Itzhak Gerberg of Israel who presented his credentials to His Highness the Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi at Tuaefu. Israel’s new Ambassador said “Israel is an ancient nation rooted in the Holy Land of Israel, whose birth certificate is the Bible, and we are proud that Jewish values espoused by the prophets are center to our shared human principles. There is a pending visa agreement that Israel and Samoa have negotiated and are proposing to sign in the near future.” Ambassador Gerberg further stated the success of his small country is based on good and strong relationships with other nations such as Samoa.

“Despite a continued threat to our existence, Israel wishes to live in secure borders while enjoying real and lasting peace. I will make every possible effort to strengthen the already existing friendly bilateral relations between our two countries while deepening our cooperation and people to people ties. Israel will be happy to share its experience with Samoa to build human capacity,” said Gerberg.

Israel and Samoa’s diplomatic relations was established in 1977 and both countries hope to enhance their relationship to the highest level possible. Gerberg believes that Israel and Samoa are heading for better things.

Ambassador Gerberg holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Tel-Aviv and a Masters in Mass Communications from the Hebrew University.

He was appointed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to New Zealand and Samoa by the President of the State of Israel, H.E Reuven Rivlin.

Aside from his expertise in foreign affairs he was also a lecturer at the Tel Aviv University (2005-2007) and University of Haifa (2014-2015).

BANK SOUTH PACIFIC GOES GREEN IN SAMOA

Apia, SAMOA — Bank South Pacific annual “GO GREEN Clean up day this past Friday, November 11, 2016 had seven schools and one private organization registered to participate. This event kicked off 9am with the participants picking up trash and cleaning up their own compounds

The BSP staff provided Go Green t-shirts, caps, gloves, bags and morning tea for the participants. This is an event that is not only held in Samoa but also in the Pacific islands such as Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Liter affects everyone and BSP has taken steps towards fixing the problem by conducing this annual clean up and leading by example in hosting this annual event and teaching children the importance of a hygienic environment. Their Annual Go Green School Clean-up Day message is “Recycle, Reuse, Rethink.”The clean-up activities involve hundreds of school children.

In a press statement issued BSP Samoa General Manager Taituuga Maryann Lameko-Vaai said, “I’m very excited to launch Go Green in Samoa this year. And to have 7 schools and one other organization participating this second time round is great news for us. Again this is a testament to BSP’s commitment to the Samoan community, to help keep Samoa clean for all.”