Amata commends Pacific Island allies in House Speech

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata in remarks on the House floor Tuesday commended U.S. allies among the Pacific Island nations:

“Mr. Speaker: I rise to pay tribute to the five Pacific Island countries in Micronesia who at their summit in February called for Russia to end its war against Ukraine.  Following their summit, these countries, Marshall Islands, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Nauru, joined a UN General Assembly resolution demanding that Russia quote ‘immediately and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from Ukraine.’

“Mr. Speaker, last September I addressed the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders, the heads of all Pacific governments, independent and territorial alike. At that gathering, I urged the leaders to resist any overtures by China until China also demands Russia stop its war with Ukraine.  ‘Before you even think about negotiating any agreements with Beijing, you should be asking China to live up to international standards on climate change.’ I concluded by asking them to use their ‘international leverage and prestige to tell China not to support Russia in any way in its unjust war in Ukraine.’

“Thank you again to our Pacific Nation allies, and I urge my congressional colleagues to stand by our friends as they continue to uphold democracy and freedom. Soifua ma ia manuia.”