FOREIGN
RELATIONS
The Samoan Government is generally
conservative and pro-Western, with a strong interest in regional
political and economic issues. At independence in 1962, Samoa
signed a Treaty of Friendship with New Zealand. This treaty confirms
the special relationship between the two countries and provides
a framework for their interaction. Under the terms of the treaty,
Samoa can request that New Zealand act as a channel of communication
to governments and international organizations outside the immediate
area of the Pacific islands. Samoa also can request defense assistance,
which New Zealand is required to consider (Samoa does not maintain
a formal military). Overall Samoa has strong links with New Zealand,
where many Samoans now live and many others were educated.
The Samoan Government was an outspoken critic of the French decision to resume nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific in 1995. Large-scale street demonstrations were held in Apia against the French tests, which concluded in 1996. The Samoan Government also banned visits to Samoa by French warships and aircraft for several years. This ban has now been lifted, and a French warship visited Apia in July 2006.
The Government of Samoa has a strong relationship with the Government of the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.). The P.R.C. has provided substantial assistance to Samoa, including an economic grant agreement for new development projects valued at $2.6 million concluded in April 2007. Assistance from the P.R.C. has been especially focused on construction projects, including the main government building as well as performance venues for the South Pacific Games, which Samoa hosted in August/September 2007. In August 2008, the P.R.C.-funded parliamentary offices were opened with the Justice building set for completion by mid-2009. A $64 million concessionary loan was also signed in September 2008 between the two countries for the construction of a multi-storey office and conference building. Since 1967, the United States has supported a substantial Peace Corps program in Samoa. Over 1,900 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Samoa over that time, with 40 Volunteers currently in-country. Peace Corps programs emphasize village-based development and capacity building. Other forms of U.S. assistance to Samoa are limited. Relations with the U.S. reached an all-time high in July 2008, when Secretary of State Rice visited Samoa and met with Prime Minister Tuilaepa as well as her counterparts from other Pacific Island nations. This was the second time a Secretary of State had visited in 20 years; George Schultz visited in 1987. The U.S. Embassy, staffed by a single officer, is the smallest Embassy in Samoa (although a few countries have honorary consuls) and one of the few one-officer U.S. Embassies in the world.
Samoa participated in a first round of negotiations with its Pacific Island neighbors for a regional trade agreement in August 2000. Samoa is a member of the United Nations and strong advocate of the Pacific Commission and Pacific Islands Forum.
Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador (accredited to both New Zealand and Samoa; resident in Wellington)--William P. McCormick
Chargé d'Affaires--Robin L. Yeager
The U.S. Embassy is located on the 5th Floor of the Accident Compensation Board (ACB) Building, Beach Road, Apia. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 3430, Apia. Phone: [685] 21631. Email: usembassy@samoa.net.
