6 Jan 2010

French Polynesia's Temaru plans no confidence motion this month

3:21 pm on 6 January 2010

French Polynesia's opposition leader, Oscar Temaru, says he will launch a no confidence motion before the end of month in a bid to oust the Gaston Tong Sang-led government formed last November.

Mr Temaru has told a local radio station that the running of the country cannot be left in the hands of people whom he accuses of having abused public funds.

The allegation relates to the 2002 purchase of Anuanuraro atoll by the then government of Gaston Flosse, which included the current president and vice president.

The atoll was bought from the territory's leading pearl producer allegedly for five times its value.

Mr Temaru says he has been in touch with the prosecutor who told him that an indictment could be ready this month.

He says once that document is made public, the motion can be voted on with everybody knowing whether they are accomplices of a government that has abused public funds.