8 Mar 2005

Oscar Temaru names 16 ministers in new French Polynesian government

7:20 pm on 8 March 2005

The French Polynesian president, Oscar Temaru, has named 16 ministers in the second government he has formed in less than nine months.

Mr Temaru says the line-up was in the main decided at a retreat after he was elected president.

He says he had talks with the previous budget minister, Georges Puchon of the rival Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party, but his Union For Democracy base was against appointing Mr Puchon.

Mr Temaru retained key ministers, such as the finance minister, Emile Vanfasse, but was unable to include any ministers from the Fetia Api party which was a key ally in his previous team.

He says the government line-up was in the main decided at a retreat after he was elected president.

"We have met them - I have tried to convince them to join us, but they have decided to step aside and not to be part of this new government."

Oscar Temaru