Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tautua Samoa president dies

Posted at 01:10 on 04 October, 2011 UTC

Samoa’s Opposition Tautua Samoa party is mourning the death of its president, Va’aelua Eti Alesana, who passed away last Friday.

The late president was elected after small political parties came together to run under the banner of Tautua Samoa party before the general election in March this year.

The party leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II, says his party has lost one of its key supporters.

The opposition leader says he salutes the late president and his service.

Va’aelua Eti Alesana was the son of the late prime minister and leader of the ruling HRPP party, Tofilau Eti Alesana.

A family member says preparations are underway for Vaaelua Eti’s funeral.