ANTI-ASIAN SERMON REBUKED IN AMERICAN SAMOA
Anti-Asian feelings openly expressed in American Samoa have been
rebuked by Governor Togiola Tulafono as "harsh" and "unfair."
Togiola said that foreign businesses help stabilize the Territory's economy.
"Personally I feel that there is room to absorb these businesses," he said.
Koreans were unfairly singled out and most of the so-called
Korean-owned businesses operate in partnership with Samoan interests,
the governor said.
The issue came to the fore during the governor's inauguration ceremony
last month. A sermon by Assemblies of God Assistant Superintendent
Reverend Siaosi Mageo described Korean businesspeople in the
Territory as "African snails." He urged the Government to find ways to
deport them.
In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Togiola has now spoken
against Reverend Mageo's comments and what appears to be a
groundswell of anti-Asian feeling in American Samoa.
2005.02.09
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