13 Jun 2013

Rare earths attribution to be raised in Paris/Papeete talks

6:41 pm on 13 June 2013

The new French Polynesian government says a key issue to be raised during its upcoming first talks with the French president, Francois Hollande, will be the attribution of deep sea minerals, including rare earths.

This comes after the opposition challenged the new administration of Gaston Flosse over whether it will cede the deposits to the coloniser in return for a few crumbs to satisfy his electoral plans.

The opposition says the new government's open door days are a good thing as it shows to the crowd turning up that his campaign promises are nothing but hot air.

The minister for marine resources, Tearii Alpha, says the territorial government will oppose any change to the list of strategic materials available to France.

According to a 1959 decree, France is only entitled to have access to minerals used to create nuclear energy.