A Seat At The Table

French Polynesia President Oscar Temaru was pleased by reception by the Pacific Forum. Photo: Samantha Magick

After five years of lobbying, French Polynesia was admitted to the Pacific Islands Forum as an observer in Apia in August.

President Oscar Temaru, who in May became leader of what is now known as a "French overseas country," told the leaders that it was "a historic moment" and that the Maohi people will not forget that it was in Samoa that French Polynesia was granted membership into the Pacific meeting house.

In their final communiqué, the Leaders "supported the principle of French Polynesia's right to self-determination" but at the same time "encouraged French Polynesia and France to seek an agreed approach on how to realize French Polynesia's right to self-determination."

Temaru had asked for more, specifically that the Forum endorse their bid to get French Polynesia, or as he prefers, Te Ao Maohi, re-inscribed on the United Nations list of non-self governing territories. Temaru had reason to be pleased with the Apia meeting, despite the Leader's qualified resolution.

"We have a lot to share in this Pacific Ocean. Our first wish is to live peacefully in our Pacific region and all together see what we can share," Temaru told journalists in Apia.

During his visit, Temaru stressed his focus on strengthening the economy of French Polynesia. "We have been surviving in this huge ocean with nothing for years and years," he says.

The President wants to double the number of visitors to French Polynesia within 10 years, and reduce the dependence on French assistance, "so we have to work hard, try to balance the economic situation…we have a lot to do."

"If we reach that goal (of) getting 500-thousand visitors to our country in 10 years time, maybe that will be the time to organize a referendum in our country… if we want to be a sovereign state."

Temaru had other ideas of how Pacific cooperation could be furthered, citing the type of concepts that have had only a lukewarm reception in many parts of the Pacific, such as a single currency and an even more ambitious common passport.

"My dream is one day we can have the Pacific people's passport so we can freely trade…Why not?…Europe was able to do that, and Europe is so far away from the Pacific, " he says.

Temaru says French Polynesia remains committed to existing programs, such as building houses in cyclone-devastated Niue. "It's a human problem so we need to be in solidarity."

He is also keen on education exchanges, particularly in order to improve the English language skills of Tahitian students. "We have communication problems, when visitors come to our country they can't communicate with people."

Temaru planned to discuss fisheries opportunities with Kiribati and other nations while in Apia. Temaru sees opportunities to further cooperate in the fields of trade, environment, cultural and traditional know-how.

But it was the decolonization call that garnered the most attention, in Apia and back at home. Temaru pointed to the case of New Caledonia (also a Forum Observer), which is on the UN's list, as a model.

He says there is a role for France in the region. "France has its place, that's not a problem. I think there is room, space for everyone in the Pacific region," but Temaru says the struggle for sovereignty is another thing.

These comments raised the ire of his predecessor, Gaston Flosse, who questioned Temaru's mandate to request the Forum's endorsement over the decolonization push.

France's delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum post-forum dialogue was pleased with the leaders' communiqué. Philippe Vitel, a member of the French national assembly, told journalists that the resolution was wise, and that decolonization was a domestic issue to be sorted out between France and French Polynesia.

Temaru was philosophical on the challenges he faces. "I thank God every day I'm still alive because it was a very hard fight during all those years being arrested, humiliated, they tried to kill me, that's the truth ... (but) we'll keep fighting for our sovereignty peacefully."