By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
PAPEETE, French Polynesia – A veteran French Polynesian politician has called allegations against him “scandalous” after a letter was found in his home describing the abduction, torture, and murder of a journalist.
In 1997, journalist, Jean-Pascal Couraud, disappeared. Four years ago, members of the Couraud family alleged that Jean-Pascal was murdered after Mr. Vetea Guilloux, a former spy for prominent French Polynesian politician, Gaston Flosse, claimed that the Grupement d’Intervention de La Polynesia (GIP) drowned the journalist off the coast of Tahiti.
Flosse originally created the GIP intervention force when he was president of French Polynesia to employ young men not only domestically but also in the Cook islands, Tonga, and Niue. The Force quickly grew and was criticized for becoming, what some saw, was a private army used for spying and intimidation.
In 2004, Flosse publically stated before a Tahitian assembly that he never ordered Couraud’s death.
Three months ago, a letter describing Couraud’s murder was found during a search of Flosse’s home. AFP news source reports that a former member of the GIP, Vetea Cadousteau, wrote the letter. Mr. Cadousteau’s body was found in a Tahitian valley five years ago. Experts are trying to determine the authenticity of the letter.
In addition, the letter implicates a GIP member as an accomplice in Couraud’s alleged murder. That accomplice, however, also died under circumstances yet to be investigated.
Flosse, meanwhile, has issued a statement claiming that the media’s persistence in attacking him is ridiculous. Flosse argues that not even the judiciary are pursuing him.
Following recent reports on the letter, Flosse has declined to respond.
For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Veteran French Polynesian politician says ongoing JPK speculation is scandalous – 31 December 2008
Radio New Zealand International – Letter’s discovery widens mystery around missing French Polynesian journalist – 30 December 2008
Island Business News – We Say: FRENCH POLYNESIA
