The US Army has launched an investigation into media reports that a recruitment drive is underway in Samoa, an independent nation with no citizenship ties to USA.
Newsline Samoa, who broke the story two weeks ago, reported Sunday that a Portland recruitment battalion spokesman, John Morgan, confirmed the investigation over the telephone.
“I am not aware of any recruitments in Samoa, it is a sovereign nation, ” he told the newspaper.
The initial story indicated that a “point of contact” was actively recruiting suitable candidates in a number of schools and even the National University of Samoa.
Robert Fagamatai Tamasese was identified as the “point of contact” in Apia who told the newspaper that he had more than a thousand names on his list.
The US Embassy in Apia denied knowledge of such a drive and the office of the American Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata also denied any knowledge.
The US Army Recruitment officer in American Samoa, Sean Salanoa, told the newspaper he had been instructed not to speak to the media.
“I am not allowed to comment any further on this issue,” he said.
He added that all inquiries are to be directed to the Guam based Recruitment Commander Kurt Diaz.
