United States Department of the Interior

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Washington, DC 20240

JUL 'I 2008

Mr. Ben Te'o President

Common Cause (American Samoa) Inc.

P.O. Box 4750

Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799

Dear Mr. Te'o:

Thank you for your letter of March 11, 2008, addressed to Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, regarding removal of the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from office. The Secretary has asked that I reply on his behalf.

In most respects, American Samoa is a self-governing territory. The American Samoa Government, therefore, deals with all issues internal to American Samoa. In fact, the laws of American Samoa, in code sections 4.0108 and 4.0109, provide for recall or impeachment of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Thus, the people of the territory and the Fono have the right to decide to take action or refrain from taking action on impeachment issues.

I would like to suggest that representatives of Common Cause discuss with local officials the options that may be available to them within the governing structure of the territory.

We appreciate your interest in the welfare of American Sa

Doug Domenech

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Office of Insular Affairs

cc: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi; Speaker of the House, United States Congress The Honorable Faleomavaega; American Samoa Congressman

The Honorable Governor Togiola T. Tulafono; Governor of American Samoa The Honorable Lt. Governor Ipulasi Sunia; Lt. Governor of American Samoa