Former French Polynesia President Gaston Flosse has proposed a referendum vote in Tahiti on whether the country should become independent from France.

Flosse’s proposal was put to the French Senate on Wednesday (07 Dec) claiming that President Oscar Temaru “wants to cause hostility” among the people of Tahiti towards France.

“Shouldn't the opinion of the population be asked?” Mr Flosse told the French Senate. The remarks were made in the presence of French Overseas Minister François Baroin. Although Baroin spoke to the Senate, he did not say anything about an independence referendum in Tahiti.

Claiming that French Polynesia’s 42 communes lack resources, Flosse said these local governments represent a modernization factor. “I'm opposed to this attitude as long as the country (territory) doesn't have a precise policy and President Temaru calls for independence.” Mr Flosse said the people of Tahiti are disturbed by the call for independence because they are “attached to France.”

He advised the French Senate to resist the temptation to “close off the faucets” as suggested by French Polynesia National Assembly Deputy Béatrice Vernaudon. That prompted Jean Arthuis, head of the Senate's Finance Committee, to jokingly ask, “There are faucets? Faucets that flow to Flosse?”.....

Source: Pacific Magazine