The President of the French Polynesian assembly has written to the French defence minister, Herve Morin, expressing his dismay that France has gone back on an undertaking to no longer appeal court rulings in nuclear weapon test compensation cases.
In his letter, Philip Schyle says he has been appalled to learn that a June decision is to be challenged in the court of appeal in Papeete tomorrow.
The appeal comes despite Mr Morin saying last November that the defence ministry would no longer challenge rulings that were not in its favour.
He has asked Mr Morin to intervene and ensure that the decision in June to compensate the children of a French Polynesian victim will not be appealed.
Mr Schyle says the public largely shares his disquiet.
