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By Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
"If Santa can take one more request, a fiber optic cable would be nice [for American Samoa]," declared Papali'i David B. Cohen, DOI's deputy assistant secretary for Insular Areas.
Samoa News yesterday asked Cohen, what his wishes are for the Insular Areas and American Samoa for Christmas 2006.
"Of course, since Christmas is only a couple of days away, there probably is not enough time to fulfill this wish by Christmas," said Cohen yesterday from Washington. "But seriously, so many of the challenges that the insular areas face in health, education, infrastructure, fiscal management and a whole host of other areas would be much more manageable if the islands had a stronger economic base."
"Some of our brothers and sisters in other islands, such as the Northern Mariana Islands, could be facing a difficult time this year," he said. "I hope that the new leaders in [U.S] Congress will be compassionate to them.
For American Samoa, Cohen said, "Most of all, I wish that all our brave men and women serving overseas stay safe."
"My other wishes for American Samoa include a strong, secure, economy, better health, better education, strong fiscal management and leaders - be they political leaders, cultural leaders, church leaders or societal leaders - who are bold, wise, courageous, decent, honest and visionary," he said and noted for Santa to look at a fiber optic cable for American Samoa.
Asked for his own personal Christmas wish, Cohen said, "My selfish wish is for one day of rest. I don't know if I've earned it, but I definitely need it."
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined DOI employees on Tuesday in honoring members of the United States Armed Forces in donating toys and other items for both needy children as well as troops deployed in combat zones.
Kempthorne said the event "is a wonderful opportunity to thank all of the tremendous men and women who wear the uniform. This includes soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and members of the Coast Guard."
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com.
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