Government
Name of country:
conventional long form:
Independent State of Western Samoa
conventional short form:
Western Samoa
Data code:
WS
Type of government:
constitutional monarchy under native chief
Capital:
Apia
Administrative divisions:
11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano
Independence:
1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
National Day, 1 June (1962)
Constitution:
1 January 1962
Legal system:
based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Chief Susuga MALIETOA Tanumafili II (co-chief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963); upon his death, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term
head of government:
Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7 April 1988) was appointed by the chief of state with approval of the Legislative Assembly
cabinet:
Cabinet was appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister's advice
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Fono):
elections last held 5 April 1991 (next to be held 26 April 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 28, SNDP 18, independents 1
note:
only matai (head of family) are able to run for the Legislative Assembly
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), TOFILAU Eti Alesana, chairman; Samoan National Development Party (SNDP), TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairman; Samoan Progressive Conservative Party, LEOTA Ituau Ale; Samoa All People's Party (SAPP), Matatumua MAIMOAGA
International organization participation:
ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE
chancery:
820 Second Avenue, Suite 800, New York, NY 10017
telephone:
[1] (212) 599-6196, 6197
FAX:
[1] (212) 599-0797
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN (Ambassador to New Zealand and Western Samoa, resides in Wellington, New Zealand)
embassy:
5th floor, Beach Road, Apia
mailing address:
P.O. Box 3430, Apia
telephone:
[685] 21631
FAX:
[685] 22030
Flag:
red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation
