American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono spent Friday in meetings at the State Department, and with a former admiral on the VITAL employment program.
State Department
At the State Department, Togiola met with Director of Oceans Affairs Margaret Hayes to seek assistance in calling to the attention of new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, an old issue that continues to surface for the Territory of American Samoa and its official participation in Pacific regional meetings."We are asking for the help of the Secretary of State in President Obama's administration, as we have in past administrations, to allow American Samoa to be a part of any U.S. State Department delegation as an 'observer' in any or all Pacific regional meetings. We have never received an official response from the State Department on past requests," said Togiola. "This region is our home and we know it well. American Samoa understands our neighbor countries and we would be a great help to the State Department on issues that impact the Pacific region because we are there."
Togiola said the Pacific Forum has invited American Samoa to participate in the regional meetings but have never been given permission to attend as an 'observer' or with 'observer' status.
Director Hayes expressed her thanks to Governor Togiola for bringing the issue to her attention and that she will follow up on the matter.
Veterans' Administration Training Link
Governor Togiola also met with retired Rear Admiral John Scudi, head of Smart Solutions of Delaware, who is interested in collaborating with American Samoa to create and identify employment opportunities for wounded soldiers to work in Information Technology jobs in the territory's proposed call centers.Scudi advised Togiola that the U.S. Navy has funding to train wounded soldiers.
