President lashes out against French plans for Tahiti

Speaking at the start of the budget debate, Mr Temaru said he was
opposed to the shortening of the current five-year term of the
assembly and early elections in January under a new electoral system.


RNZI/ Pacnews
Wed, 26 Sep 2007

PAPE'ETE, FRENCH Occupied POLYNESIA ---- Tahiti Nui president
Oscar Temaru has challenged the French Government plan to call early
elections in Tahiti and warns of a possible political radicalisation
because of hasty and botched polls, Radio New Zealand International
reports

Speaking at the start of the budget debate, Mr Temaru said he was
opposed to the shortening of the current five-year term of the
assembly and early elections in January under a new electoral system.

Mr Temaru said he was astounded that France wants to impose the
changes when the assembly regularly elects a government in favour of
independence.

Mr Temaru said he has the impression that Paris cannot accept that a
pro-independence government rules in Tahiti and that as result efforts
are being made to contest its legitimacy.

The French Government has said it would pass the reforms under urgency
in a bid to restore political stability in French Polynesia.

But Mr Temaru said things have changed and 44 out of 57 assembly
members would oppose the French plan.

Mr Temaru said if approved, the changes would be interpreted as an act
of colonialism and a human rights violation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Temaru

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/pacbeat/stories/s1132299.htm