Samoan PM La’aulialemalietoa apologises for historical ‘Heil Hitler’ video

Samoa’s Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa (La’aiuli) Leuatea Schmidt has apologised for a historical video in which he used the term “Heil Hitler”.

“I have been made aware of historical video footage reported in the media relating to a private family gathering in Savai’i in 2007,” La’auli said in a statement today.

“The footage shows me using the words ‘Heil Hitler’ and participating in a gesture associated with Nazi Germany in a private family gathering — not intended for the public.

• READ MORE: The PM’s ‘Heil Hitler’ moment — Samoa Observer
• Other Samoa media reports

“Whatever the context or intention at that gathering 20 years ago, I recognise that those words and gesture were inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt and I apologise for using them.”

The prime minister’s apology comes following a report by the Samoa Observer on Sunday.

The newspaper reported that in “previously unseen footage”, recorded when La’auli was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, he uttered the words: “Raise your right hand, Heil Hitler!”

RNZ Pacific has independently verified the footage through its correspondent in Apia.

Crowd of 13
In the clip, Laauli leads a crowd of around 13 people visible in the footage in raising their right hands and saying, “Heil Hitler!”.

“I reject Nazism, antisemitism, racism and all forms of political extremism,” La’auli said in this statement.

“They do not reflect my personal beliefs, nor the values of the government or people of Samoa as in the public record of statements I made since becoming Prime Minister.”

He said Samoa was a constitutional democracy founded upon respect for human dignity, the rule of law, its traditional institutions and freedom of expression.

“My government remains committed to those principles.”

La’auli said he considered the matter as addressed.

“Our country faces important economic and social challenges. My responsibility as Prime Minister is to continue the work already laid out to strengthen our economy, creating opportunities for our people and serving all of Samoa.”

Meanwhile, the Samoa Observer is currently banned from all government press conferences. The news outlet is also banned from covering or taking taking photos of La’auli.