17 Nov 2004

More public buildings occupied in French Polynesia as call for general elections grows

4:26 pm on 17 November 2004

Supporters of the ousted Oscar Temaru-led administration in French Polynesia have occupied the premises of the Islands Assistance Fund in Papeete.

The latest occupation of a public office comes as the Gaston Flosse-led rival administration says it will not join talks in Paris to resolve the political crisis in Tahiti unless the rule of law is restored.

A spokesman for the group occupying the office, Gaston Tetuanui, says after the partial dissolution of the assembly, the office may no longer be used for what he calls propaganda.

Mr Tetuanui has also called on the 20 MPs who are still left in the assembly to resign if they want to retain any political credibility.

A by-election in the Tahiti-Moorea electorate is due within three months but a majority of parties want to have the entire assembly dissolved to held fresh general elections.