| Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that as of
the release of this statement, there is no signed mail contract for the
delivery of mail to American Samoa. Negotiations are continuing with
Evergreen International Airlines.
“There is no excuse for this failure on the part of the U.S. Postal
Service,” Faleomavaega said. “Regardless of who they have or don’t
have a contract with, there is an obligation to get mail to American Samoa
in a timely manner and I have reminded the Postmaster General in no uncertain
terms of that obligation today by telephone and by letter. I have
also asked the Department of Defense for its assistance in transporting
mail to American Samoa until the Postal Service is able to meet its obligations.”
On June 15th, Congressman Faleomavaega’s office relied on representations
from the U.S. Postal Service in Washington, D.C. that a contract had been
signed. The Postal Service indicated yesterday that it had passed
on incorrect information.
“I have expressed my extreme disappointment in the Postal Service’s
handling of this situation,” Faleomavaega said. “I have made it clear
that the people of American Samoa are already suffering as a result of
the Postal Service’s negligence, and I do not want them to have to
suffer additionally as a result of being misinformed.”
Faleomavaega also noted that he would do whatever it takes to get
the mail delivered. “I will get some movement out of the bureaucracy
at the Postal Service and get the mail delivered, even if I have to paddle
the canoe myself,” Faleomavaega concluded. |
![[106th Congress]](/faleomavaega/press/press_2000/images/106.jpg)
