18 Mar 2013

Vanuatu says it co-sponsors Tahiti decolonisation bid

12:08 pm on 18 March 2013

Vanuatu says it is one of the sponsors of the resolution, seeking to re-inscribe French Polynsia on the UN decolonisation list.

A government public relations officer, Jeff Patunvanu, made the statement after Vanuatu's representative to the Pacific Council of Churches, Bishop James Ligo, said only Tuvalu and Nauru supported the resolution by the Solomon Islands prime minister.

Mr Patunvanu says Vanuatu is well respected in the region for its traditional stand to see all remaining territories gain self-determination.

A vote on revised resolution is expected in the UN General Assembly this month.

France removed the territory from the list in 1947 but is opposed to return it.