Pacific

French Polynesian government affirms public service changes

16:00 pm on 13 April 2005

The French Polynesian government has rejected opposition criticism over changes of key positions in the administration.

The Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party accused the government formed last month of engaging in a witchhunt by dismissing senior figures.

But a government statement says there had been no change of government for nearly twenty years and new leaders have to be appointed to implement the policies of the new government.

The intervention group, the GIP, rebelled against its new boss last month and after two port blockades in Tahiti it forced the government to back down and accept Yannick Boosie as new boss.