Forum Secretary General Expresses Condolences at Passing away of Samoa's Head of State
PRESS STATEMENT
15th May 2007
FORUM SECRETARY GENERAL EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES AT PASSING AWAY OF SAMOA’S HEAD OF STATE
The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Mr Greg Urwin, has expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy to the people and Government of Samoa at the passing away of their Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II.
“The Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II was known and admired by a great range of people in the region. It was my privilege to have known him and served him as much as 30 years ago. He was an extremely gentle, kind and an unassuming man who did great service to his people and his country,” Mr Urwin said.
Malietoa Tanumafili II was appointed Head of State for life at the time of Samoa’s independence in 1962, the first independent state in the Pacific.
“The success that Samoa’s had in the intervening years owes to his leadership and humanity. He set an example to his people that has allowed them to go forward in a range of ways and he is being deeply mourned and will be greatly missed,” said Mr Urwin.
(Ends)
15th May 2007
FORUM SECRETARY GENERAL EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES AT PASSING AWAY OF SAMOA’S HEAD OF STATE
The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Mr Greg Urwin, has expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy to the people and Government of Samoa at the passing away of their Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II.
“The Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II was known and admired by a great range of people in the region. It was my privilege to have known him and served him as much as 30 years ago. He was an extremely gentle, kind and an unassuming man who did great service to his people and his country,” Mr Urwin said.
Malietoa Tanumafili II was appointed Head of State for life at the time of Samoa’s independence in 1962, the first independent state in the Pacific.
“The success that Samoa’s had in the intervening years owes to his leadership and humanity. He set an example to his people that has allowed them to go forward in a range of ways and he is being deeply mourned and will be greatly missed,” said Mr Urwin.
(Ends)
