The French Polynesian government has again hit out at former president Gaston Flosse after he announced he had deal with a company in the United Arab Emirates for billions of dollars worth of investment.
Gaston Flosse Photo: AFP
The government spokesman Jean-Christophe Bouissou said Flosse was trying to corrupt everybody on an intellectual level.
Mr Bouissou told Radio1 there is a difference between an investment and a loan, with Flosse reportedly trying to borrow $US5 billion - an amount which would increase the territory's debt ten-fold.
On his return from Abu Dhabi, Flosse said the company Al Manhal would help build the multi-billion dollar Mahana Beach project in Tahiti, which would be the biggest tourism project in the South Pacific.
He said the deal would go ahead, if he were to be returned to power in this year's territorial election.
Flosse also said the loan would be no problem because of the funds the territory gets from France, including an annual $US20 million payment for the continued occupation of the former nuclear test sites at Mururoa and Fangataufa.
The government has not confirmed such payments are being received but says there is annual allocation to compensate French Polynesia for the test legacy.