A group of French Polynesian families has vowed to occupy Tupai
atoll before the end of the month as part of a long-running land
dispute with the territorial government.
Tupai, which is near Bora Bora, was bought by the previous
government in 1998 and the former President, Gaston Flosse, then
developed part of it as a private retreat at the taxpayers'
expense.
33 families claim to be the rightful owners of parts of the atoll
and say they will travel to Tupai in 110 motorised canoes at an
unspecified day before the end of March.
A year ago, the new government led by Oscar Temaru said it would
return the land to its legitimate owners but the process has
stalled.
A representative for the families says they will set up camp on
Tupai and then get the government to negotiate.
