7 Nov 2005

Opposition in French Polynesia demands apology from vice president

10:08 am on 7 November 2005

The French Polynesian opposition has demanded a public apology from the vice-president, Jacqui Drollet, for comments during an assembly debate last week.

Members of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira walked out of the assembly in protest, saying it was slanderous of Mr Drollet to claim that some Tahoeraa MPs were no longer fit examples for their children.

At a news conference, the Tahoeraa has warned that it will, as it put it, boycott him should he fail to apologise.

The walk-out came during question time when the opposition criticised President Oscar Temaru's comments to a New Zealand newspaper about the legacy of the French nuclear weapons tests.

The newspaper article said up to five people a day are being flown to New Zealand for treatment for health problems that may have been caused by the tests.

In the assembly, Mr Temaru was accused of sabotaging the economy, with a Tahoeraa MP saying his comments to the New Zealand press were like bombs that annihilated in one blow all efforts to promote tourism.