A retired US Army colonel, making a bid for American Samoa's seat in the United States Congress, says the territory needs to consider the impact of planned military spending cuts.
Mapu Jamais is now a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army and joins five other candidates hoping to unseat the incumbent Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, who has held the spot through twelve terms.
Pago Pago, American Samoa Photo: Wikipedia
64 year old Mr Jamais says funding cuts to the military are just the beginning and the next congressman will need good negotiation skills.
"There are some big cutbacks coming down starting October next year and I feel that this is very important because it's he or she who goes off island and tries to get as much finances to run American Samoa in a variety of departments."
American Samoan congressional candidate Mapu Jamais.
