4 May 2006

French Polynesian complaining to Paris about the new airport tax

7:17 pm on 4 May 2006

The French Polynesian government is to write an open letter to the French President, Jacques Chirac, to express its dismay over an airport tax levied by Paris.

This comes after political parties across the spectrum spoke out against the French move which followed a vote in the territorial assembly not to introduce such a levy.

The vice-president, Jacqui Drollet, says the French decision goes against the autonomy statute which gives the territory financial and fiscal autonomy.

Opposition parties also say there are provisions for France to be able to impose such charges in Tahiti.

Mr Drollet says the government plans to challenge the French decision in the French supreme court.