Samoa : Security Assistance

Background: New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997. [CIA World Factbook]

Samoa: Security Assistance
($ in thousands)

U.S. national interests in Samoa directly support the U.S government’s national security interest in regional stability. The U.S. government strives to maintain close ties with Samoa, which is a consistent supporter of U.S. positions internationally. Samoa is also a close neighbor of the U.S. territory of American Samoa, with which it has long-standing family and cultural ties. Other interests include safeguarding the welfare of the many U.S. citizens and nationals who reside in or visit Samoa, encouraging broad-based economic growth, supporting improved capacity to protect the island’s environment and natural resources, educating the public on health issues and encouraging economic growth.

FY 2007 International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds will help Samoa develop an effective maritime law enforcement and surveillance capability, which supports our objective of maintaining close ties with this friendly neighbor of the United States. Training in basic coastal surveillance and sea borne law enforcement skills will be carried out in accordance with U.S. leadership doctrines, emphasizing civilian control. U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard resources will contribute to broad-based economic growth in Samoa by assisting Samoa’s maritime police patrol to strengthen enforcement of Samoa's maritime Exclusive Economic Zone and improving safety in Samoa's fishing fleet. Previous IMET training has helped Samoan police officers participate more effectively in the United Nations sponsored peacekeeping force in East Timor, which Samoa joined in 2000, and in peacekeeping operations in the Solomon Islands and Liberia.

To see the complete FY 2007 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, click here.

See also:

• Background Notes: Samoa