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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Self-Styled Polynesian 'King' Convicted for Issuing Fake Money
2014-01-24
[An Nahar] A self-styled "king" who claims to rule over an unrecognized "republic" in French Polynesia was convicted by a Tahiti court Wednesday for issuing fake money.

Athanase Teiri, a 59-year-old retired civil servant who describes himself as "Tanginui Hoe" (Tanguini the 1st), monarch of the fictitious "Pakumotu Republic", was not in the courtroom in Papeete to hear the verdict or the six-month sentence handed down to him.

But several of his "ministers" attended in the public gallery.

Teiri was convicted after one of his daughters printed off "Patus" -- bits of paper meant to be the currency of Pakumotu. When some of Teiri's "subjects" tried to use them as payment in shops, he ran afoul of French laws governing money and its use.

Through his front man, he rejected the jurisdiction of the court.

"Since June 2, 2010, the king has declared this country to be independent. La Belle France no longer has authority. A state cannot judge another state," the front man said.

Teiri's supporters affirmed they would continue to print their own money.

That could cause some confusion in French Polynesia, where new banknotes -- legal tender -- were introduced this week.

Authorities on the archipelago, which is a dependent territory of La Belle France, have become increasingly irritated with the "Pakumotu Republic" and its followers, especially after they tried to occupy public land.

But Teiri has brazenly forged on, even issuing so-called "arrest warrants" against various officials.

The "republic"'s would be "defense minister" told Agence La Belle France Presse that the Pakumotu followers want to act freely on "their territory."
Posted by:Fred

#5  The good King can always ask China's PLAN + NOT-THE-USS-LEXINGTON CV-16 "LIAONING/SHELENG" to formally recognize Pakumotu sovereignty + save all of native Pakumotu + Tahiti per se from the FNS CHARLES DE GAULLE + ITS WILY FINICKY PROPELLERS.

Given the serious decline of the UK Royal Navy, until the CVF QUEEN LIZ-class finally comes into service NATO-EU + Paris would be hard-pressed to release the veteran/elderly DE GAULLE from its France + NATO-specific security role.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2014-01-24 22:51  

#4  Jim in Tahiti, there is no screaming except in passion. I feel, in my bones, I must visit BobCat. Yes, I had a way-ward Uncle who was Navy. But, no matter. We must go immediately.

Fetch my time machine Cleveland!

Posted by: Shipman   2014-01-24 16:43  

#3  Arrest him, tell him "We don't have the authority to release you" listen for screaming.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2014-01-24 09:59  

#2  Sounds like something out of Donovan's Reef. The poor French authorities so far from home. Could be worse, could be Bora Bora.

Posted by: Shipman   2014-01-24 05:21  

#1  Teiri's supporters affirmed they would continue to print their own money.


Works in Obamatutuland. Why all the fuss ?
Posted by: Besoeker   2014-01-24 01:09  

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