14 Jul 2005

French Polynesian president to snub Bastille Day parade

3:11 pm on 14 July 2005

Reports from French Polynesia say the president won't attend formal celebrations for the French national day tomorrow.

The news agency Tahitipresse reports Oscar Temaru and six of his ministers are instead to take an early morning boat tour on the west coast of Tahiti.

Mr Temaru is to send his Labour Minister, Pierre Frebault, to attend a military parade in the capital, Papeete.

Mr Temaru wasn't at last year's official Bastille Day parade in Tahiti, which was attended by his presidential rival, Gaston Flosse.