22 Aug 2005

French Polynesian President urges residents to stockpile in case of further port blockades

7:11 am on 22 August 2005

French Polynesia's president, Oscar Temaru, says he can't rule out the possibility that the GIP intervention force will impose another blockade on the port of Papeete.

The latest action ended over the weekend.

Mr Temaru says reason has now prevailed, but he has advised people to store some rice, gas and petrol.

A spokesman for the GIP, Rere Puputauki, says the group lifted the two-day blockade because mayors in the outer islands told him they were running out of essential commodities, such as bread and petrol.

The GIP is refusing to recognise the president's authority to run the organisation and has demanded continued employment for all 1,300 members.