10 Aug 2010

Crown Prince appeals to Tongans to make peace

2:35 pm on 10 August 2010

A year after 74 people died in the Princess Ashika ferry sinking, Tonga's Crown Prince has appealed to Tongans to make peace.

Crown Prince Tupouto'a was speaking at a memorial service for the victims on Sunday.

Our correspondent in Tonga, Mateni Tapueluelu, says the prince stressed the need for Tongans to make peace in order to participate in nation-building.

"That seems unlikely given the fact that no one has been held legally accountable for what has happened and I think people are waiting to see justice delivered before they build peace on that."

Our correspondent in Nuku'alofa, Mateni Tapueluelu