25 Oct 2006

French Polynesian strikers demand resignation of French high commissioner

4:37 pm on 25 October 2006

The groups evicted from French Polynesia's public buildings say they plan a protest march in two days to demand the resignation of the French high commissioner, Anne Boquet, and the territory's president, Oscar Temaru.

This comes a day after riot police using teargas dislodged the strikers from the territorial assembly and the presidential palace, which had been seized overnight.

The former leader of the dissolved GIP intervention force, Leonard Puputauki, says a march is planned to the high commission to deliver a letter asking Mrs Boquet to resign.

Yesterday, she ordered riot police to end the occupation, marking the first time that police was used to break up an illegal blockade aimed at the government.

She said by taking over government buildings, the strikers had crossed a red line.

It's not known if charges will be laid.