The main pro-independence party in Polynesia, the Tavini Huiraatira, has proposed that this French overseas territory becomes a federal state in the event that it achieves full sovereignty. This is one of the main ideas that have been raised in their last weekend conference, the first one they have held after being defeated in the elections that were held in the spring.

Speaking to newspaper Les Nouvelles, Tavini leader Oscar Temaru said that his party is proposing the establishment of the "federal states" of Polynesia. "We live in a country as large as all Europe," he elaborated: "Why not let several powers to the representatives of the different islands".

Temaru refers to the fact that Polynesia has a very large water surface of about 5 million square kilometers (exclusive economic zone), although its land surface is only about 4,000 square kilometers. The country is made ​​up of five different archipelagos (Marquesas, Tuamotu, Society, Austral and Gambier), each one having its own language.

The proposal, as adopted by the Tavini conference, is in fact based on an idea that had been previously raised by Temaru himself. In May, the independence leader had proposed the establishment of a "Federated States of Polynesia".

According to Polynesian pro-independence Senator Richard Tuheiava, the idea would be establishing an institutional architecture similar to that of a neighboring country, the Federated States of Micronesia. The country, which is located east of the Philippines, is a federation composed of four states: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap. Each one has its own government, parliament and constitution.

Fast-tracked self-determination referendum

Meanwhile, the proposal to call a self-determination referendum in Polynesia continues to progress. The current pro-union Polynesian government agrees to hold the vote, if it is done as soon as possible. Unionists consider that, if the referendum is soon held, secessionists will have no chance to win. The United Nations Committee on Decolonization has just adopted a resolution according to which Paris is asked to seek "rapid progress" in order to facilitate the process of self-determination.

Pro-independence partisans, however, wish a slower process, so that the benefits of independence could be better explained to the Polynesian population.

(Photo: Polynesian and French flags / image by FRED.)