1 Jun 2006

Democracy marchers in Tonga will also raise concerns over joining the WTO

12:07 pm on 1 June 2006

A march through the Tonga capital, Nuku'alofa, today by pro-democracy campaigners will also oppose the country joining the World Trade Organisation.

The protestors, led by the National Reform Committee, are angry that despite calls for change after last year's protracted public servants strike, there has been no change.

People's Representative, Akilisi Pohiva, says they intend using a private members' bill to force discussion on the political reforms.

He says another issue is the plan to borrow tens of millions of pa'anga from China to finance the repurchase of the power supplier.

And he says most Tongans don't want the country in the WTO.

"Most people feel, especially the local business community, they felt that for Tonga to be a member of the WTO would bring a disaster to the country. And people take the concern of the local business people."