American Samoan Congressman, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin says he makes no apologies for comments he made advising Pacific leaders not to go to Washington if the US president does not agree to meet with them.
The comments have been criticized by Governor Togiola Tulafono who says Faleomavaega was taunting the US president.
Faleomavaega says as a Congressman and a member of the Subcommitte on Foreign Affairs he has every right to speak.
"I have a right to express some honest opinions about some of the issues I feel is important not only to the people of Amercian Samoa but US foreign policy to the Pacific region. And one being that the US presence in the Pacific is almost zero and yes I did say that and I make no apologies for it too."
Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin says if President Bush can meet with New Zealand and Australia's Prime Ministers, he can meet with leaders of Pacific countries too.
