RAMSI Special Coordinator Tim George today offered his condolences to the people and government of Samoa at the death of Samoa’s Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II.

“On behalf of all the members of the Regional Assistance Mission, I would like to extend our condolences to the people and government of Samoa at the sad passing away of their head of state Malietoa Tanumafili II”, Mr George said.

“The late Malietoa Tanumafili II was recognised through out the Pacific as a wise and dignified leader whose contribution to his country was instrumental in making Samoa the prosperous democracy it is today.”

Mr George said the death of his Highness was in a sense the end of a era for the region as his reign had shepherded Samoa since it became the first pacific island state to gain Independence in 1962 well into the 21st century which now saw Island States participating in ground-breaking missions, such as RAMSI.

“We greatly appreciate the Samoan Government’s unwavering commitment to RAMSI which it has demonstrated over the past fours years,” Mr George said

“Samoa was among one of the first Pacific countries to contribute police officers to the mission in July 2003 and the participation of personnel from Pacific countries like Samoa are essential to the mission’s success,” he said.