Tahitian independence leader seeks greater interaction with Pacific Leaders [1]
Friday, October 28, 2005 - 11:33. Updated on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 - 14:23.
by Pesi Fonua
The President of French Polynesia, Oscar Temaru said at Madang yesterday said that he was hopeful that the Pacific Leaders at this year's Forum meeting would elevate French Polynesia from an Observer Status to an Associated Member Status.
Oscar was looking forward to being able to sit together with other Pacific leaders and discuss regional issues. ...It would be a fantastic step forward to have an Associated Member status, to sit in round table and participate in the discussion of different issues....
Oscar who was recently elected as the President of Tahiti, is the leader of movement that has been campaigning for Tahitian independence from France. He was looking forward to the day when he will be able to have access to the experience of Pacific leaders.
He said that the independence movement was gaining momentum following his election as president but, ...the main problem is because we have to reshape our economy. We are completely dependent on aid, particularly from France. Our commercial balance is absolutely upside down, a huge deficit, so we have to rethink and reshape our economy....
Oscar said that once they reformed their economy they would then call for a referendum on independence from France.