9 Feb 2006

Samoa prime minister says election rival unfit to lead

7:26 am on 9 February 2006

Samoa's Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele has described the leader of the Samoa Party Su'a Rimoni Ah CHong as being inexperienced to lead the country.

Tuilaepa is quoted by the Samoa Observer saying that based on Su'a's actions in the past, he is "too green."

The PM is of the opinion that Su'a is too young, has not served in Parliament, and he wouldn't know how to lead the country.

He also believes Su'a lacks experience and doesn't have what he describes as the cultural trait of wisdom and foresight.

The Prime Minister also disputed repeated claims that Su'a had been sacked as Auditor General over a report he issued that showed corruption in government.

The PM said Su'a quit when he didn't get what he wanted.

According to Tuilaepa parliament approved the establishment of the Commission of Enquiry which upset Su'a who thought that government had blocked his report from going to the Public Accounts Committee.

Tuilaepa says the government offered to retain Su'a's services but under new terms... one of which was to limit the term to three years.