By ANGELA GREGORY
French Polynesia is bracing for riots and further unrest as France tries to sort out the crisis in its Pacific territory.
In Papeete, French Polynesia President Gaston Flosse told the Herald through an interpreter he was worried the unrest could escalate quickly into riots.
The island chain, covering an
area the size of Europe, has been in turmoil since October 9 when newly elected pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru was ousted from power by veteran leader Mr Flosse, a long-time ally of France's President, Jacques Chirac.
The pace of turmoil has quickened with a general strike called for today and a decision yesterday by France's top administrative body calling for new elections in parts of French Polynesia.
Temaru and his Cabinet ministers, joined by dozens of supporters, are refusing to leave the plush presidential building built by Flosse three years ago.
Flosse said it was an illegal occupation and his was the only legitimate Government of French Polynesia. Extra French gendarmes have been sent to the territory.
The Council of State in Paris yesterday decided there should be fresh elections in the Windward Islands of Tahiti and Moorea.
The move is significant because Flosse this year argued for new elections there after he unexpectedly lost in the May 23 federal election to the Temaru-led Union for Democracy.
The defeat under a new voting system came as a shock to Flosse, who argued there had been a problem with the ballots.
Temaru held power for only four months before his Government was defeated in a motion of no confidence and Flosse, who has ruled the territory for 16 years, once again assumed power.
Temaru and his supporters met yesterday to discuss the French position on holding new elections in the Windward Islands.
They have again asked Mr Chirac to instead order the dissolution of the Territorial Assembly and hold new general elections for all of French Polynesia.
In Papeete, radio journalist Manu de Schoenburg told the Herald people were getting sick of the uncertainty and French Polynesia was heading towards becoming a banana republic.
"They don't know who is the President, who is the Government. That's why they want dissolution, to clear the situation - even some of Flosse's supporters."
Pressure is continuing to mount on Mr Chirac as the impasse becomes an embarrassment for France.
A general strike has been called in French Polynesia, effective from midnight last night.
It is ostensibly over minimum wage rates but locally regarded as an attempt to put more pressure on Mr Chirac to act.
No one is sure how many workers will join the strike or which services may be interrupted.
Tension in paradise
* Where: French Polynesia (population 266,000) is one of three French territories in the Pacific. It lies 15,717km from France and 4094km from Auckland, sprawling across five archipelagos. Its 118 islands are spread over an area the size of Europe.
* What happened? In May, a coalition of parties led by pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru won power in elections. But last month two MPs changed sides and veteran leader Gaston Flosse regained power.
* Temaru's supporters have blockaded Government buildings and called for new elections. The French Government must decide soon.
* What's next? A general strike is under way. The French Government is deciding its response.
By ANGELA GREGORY
French Polynesia is bracing for riots and further unrest as France tries to sort out the crisis in its Pacific territory.
In Papeete, French Polynesia President Gaston Flosse told the Herald through an interpreter he was worried the unrest could escalate quickly into riots.
The island chain, covering an
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