Posted at 12:38 p.m., Monday, May 14, 2007
U.S. sends condolences to Samoa king's family
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The United States extended condolences on Monday to the family of King Malietoa Tanumafili II of Samoa and to the Samoan people on the king's death after 45 years on the throne.Malietoa "played an important and valued role in the history of his country" as one of Samoa's founding fathers and its head of state since the Pacific island Samoa gained independence from New Zealand in 1962, said U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.
Casey said the United States is committed to maintaining its strong relationship with Samoa fostered by Malietoa. Many citizens of nearby American Samoa considered Malietoa the father of both independent Samoa and the U.S. territory.
