20 Jun 2005

French Polynesian president due for talks in Paris

3:24 pm on 20 June 2005

The French Polynesian president, Oscar Temaru, is due to fly to France tonight to meet members of the new French government in Paris.

Mr Temaru is to seek a review of the assistance deal with France up to the year 2017 in discussions with the overseas territories minister, Francois Baroin.

He is to discuss five major projects with the justice minister, including the new proposed law reviewing the autonomy provisions.

French Polynesian parties have rejected the proposal and last week, Mr Temaru described the bill as a joke.

The talks will also cover a planned land tribunal and the reconstruction of a jail in Tahiti.

Last month, Mr Temaru met the then prime minister in Paris but he is yet to meet the French President, Jacques Chirac.