18 Jul 2012

Fresh Tahiti protest planned over fuel price hike

6:47 pm on 18 July 2012

The French Polynesian group of professionals, Te Tau no te Hono, says it will block two government ministries tomorrow as part of a movement to get lower fuel prices.

A planned blockade of Tahiti's port entrance didn't happen today after the fishermen suddenly pulled out of the planned protest.

Walter Zweifel reports.

"The movement's leader, Franck Tehaamatai, says they have trucks and other means to seal off ministries, and should the people want it they will cut road access to bring Papeete to a halt. Speaking on local television, he has insisted that the latest fuel price hikes approved by the government be rescinded. The French high commission, which is responsible for security, has warned that it won't tolerate blockades even though it says the demands are legitimate. The employers' federation says it's no solution to block more of the economy as the remedy should not be killing the patient."