Maohi: "This Land Became French Through Bloodshed," Temaru Says
Tahitipresse reports that this land became French through bloodshed," French Polynesia President Oscar Temaru told the local media Wednesday on the eve of French Overseas Minister François Baroin's official four-day visit.
Temaru took the news media to visit two war memorials commemorating the combatants who died during the French-Tahitian wars from 1844-1847. The objective of the visits, Temaru said, was to recall for "French people . . . the true and only history".
Standing before a war memorial commemorating the French sailors killed during
the French-Tahitian wars, Temaru pointed out "the history of our land.
I'm saying that this land is Tahiti Nui. It became French through bloodshed
and through might is right. . .
This is the history of our land. There's nothing to be offended about."
Temaru then took the news media to a war memorial in Papeete's adjacent Commune of Faa'a, where he is mayor. He said that memorial commemorated the Tahitians who died in the same battles.
"I would like to bring to light our history to the French people and to the entire world," Temaru said. "This is the right moment.
Mr. Baroin arrives in our land with the media," Temaru said, adding that he wished "that the colonial facture be recognized".
Temaru implied that this subject would be brought up during his meeting Thursday with Baroin, which is scheduled to last 45 minutes, starting at 9 am. Temaru described the French overseas minister as someone he considers as "a man of dialog".
Meanwhile, French Polynesia Vice President Jacqui Drollet announced Wednesday that he would be accompanying Baroin on his scheduled visits throughout French Polynesia between Thursday and Sunday. Baroin is due to leave Tahiti Monday morning on a flight to New Zealand.
