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Tongan Capital Set Ablaze

Hundreds of protesters mostly young people stormed Nuku`alofa, Tonga`s capital, in demand for democratic reform. The country currently has a pseudo-feudal political system. This unrest follows a rally last year in which 1 in ever 10 Tongans, some 10,000 people went to the streets to demand democratic reform and public ownership of key assets. The government created a reform committee which has made recommendations to drastically change the country`s political system. When the vote wasn`t given before parliament went into recess, numerous young people some drunk began rioting, looting and setting a blaze establishments considered government related.

One of the first buildings to be attacked was Prime Minister`s office. Other public buildings followed. The rioter`s attacked a supermarket owned by the Prime Minister, who`s daughter was managing at the time. The headquarters of the Shoreline power company that is partially owned by King Siaosi Tupou V, who was believed to outside the capital at the time. Hotels, stores, banks and cafes were ransacked or burnt down by rampaging youths as well. While a bulk of the protesters were dancing to music at the site of the protest and rallying at a park opposite the parliament building.

New Zealand`s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, said the rioting was "a disaster" and "a severe setback at a time when political reform is happening in Tonga". Australia and New Zealand issued travel warnings. Martini Tapueloelo, a journalist reported that a letter was read to the protesters allegedly from the Prime Miniter, Mr Sevele, agreeing to demands that democratic change occur by 2008, when 21 of the nation`s parliament members will be up for election.