9 Feb 2007

New opposition march in French Polynesian capital

9:45 am on 9 February 2007

An estimated 400 people have marched through the capital of French Polynesia, calling for the resignation of President Gaston Tong Sang and fresh general elections.

The march was the second within a week through Papeete,organised by the opposition Union For Democracy which lost power in a no-confidence vote in December.

The opposition leader, Oscar Temaru, says there will be no peace until there is justice.

Another opposition politician, Antony Geros, has told the Tahitipresse news agency that people need to bear in mind that French Polynesia should no longer be run by individuals under investigation.

Mr Tong Sang is a key suspect in an alleged fraud in 2002 when the then government led by Gaston Flosse bought an atoll at what is believed to have been an inflated price.