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PAPEETE, Feb 13 (AFP) - The pro-independence party of Oscar Temaru swept to victory in initial by-elections in the French Polynesian islands of Tahiti and Moorea that residents hope will end a 10-month political crisis, officials said Sunday. The vote was called after France's state council - the highest administrative court - last year annulled the results of May 2004 elections in the two islands, citing irregularities in some polling stations. The islands send 37 members to the 57-seat territorial assembly. New elections will be held throughout the sprawling Pacific territory. Temaru's Union for Democracy (UPLD) took 46.94 percent of...

PAPEETE, Tahiti (AP) -- Voters in Tahiti and nearby Moorea cast ballots in a partial election that islanders hope will resolve a months-long political crisis that has broken the calm of French Polynesia and divided politicians all the way to Paris. Political tumult has torn the French territory in the South Pacific since May when conservatives -- in power since 1982 -- suffered an unexpected defeat in legislative elections. The narrow loss gave an extra seat in the Assembly of French Polynesia to the pro-independence party, triggering a bitter political crisis that the 112,000 eligible voters were being asked to...

One of France's farthest-flung and most exotic colonial possessions, French Polynesia, elected its first pro-independence leader yesterday in a blow to the government in Paris. The new head of state, Oscar Temaru, replaced a long-time political ally of President Jacques Chirac as president. The new man favours independence for the South Pacific archipelago, also known by the name of its main island, Tahiti. The high tension of the past few weeks is at odds with French Polynesia's reputation as the epitome of South Seas tranquillity and romance, an image first fostered by 18th century explorers such as Capt James Cook....

UPDATE - Independence campaigner, anti-nuclear testing protester and former Westfield freezing worker Oscar Temaru has been confirmed as the new president of French Polynesia. The elevation of Mr Temaru, 59, will end the 20-year rule of Gaston Flosse, 72, a close friend of French president Jacques Chirac. Elections were held three weeks ago and legal action by Mr Flosse to have the elections nullified were unsuccessful. At last count, Mr Temaru, leader of the Tavini Huiraatira Party, had formed a coalition with 30 seats in the 57-member Assembly. Mr Temaru has not set a deadline for independence from France but...