Page 6 - IB AUG 2018

We Say

At every stage, it will be important to engage the indigenous people who have

been without a real say for too long. Only through inclusivity and true dialogue will

the peace and prosperity of New Caledonia be guaranteed.

Road which will, in time, extend across the Pacific.
It is important the French legislators do not forget the essence
of the two accords which brought about the much-anticipated
referendum which will take place in less than 100 days.
In June 1988 the leader of the Kanak people – Jean-Marie Tji-
baou – and separatist chief Jacques Lafleur signed the Matignon
Agreement.
This came after a period of intense conflict in which Tjibaou
led the mainly pro-independence indigenous community in their
quest for independence.
Lafleur and the mainly white settler separatist movement op-
posed independence to the point of violence.
The battle was underlined by the killing of 19 Kanakas who
had taken 20 police officers hostage in a cave on Ouvea Island
in 1988. The Kanaks were later murdered by police.
The Matignon Agreement allowed an amnesty for those who
took part in the violence on Ouvea and opened the door for dis-
cussions on independence.
Part of the agreement was a 10-year development plan includ-
ing special institutional and economical provisions for the Kanak
community.
In November 1988, 80 per cent of voters agreed that the ter-
ritory should be allowed to vote for self-determination 10 years
later.
Less than a year later, Tjibaou was assassinated by a native of
Ouvea, apparently enraged by the amnesty. But the foundation
had been laid and the process continued.
In May 1998, the Noumea Accord was
Free and signed to allow for the transfer of sover-
WHEN the people of New Caledonia vote in a territorial referen- transparent eignty from France to the territory in 2018.
dum in November, they will bring to an end three decades of the That transfer allows New Caledonia to
struggle to answer questions vital to the sustainability of peace be fully autonomous, except for the areas
and democracy. of defence, security, finance and the judiciary.
But it will be incumbent upon France to ensure that the rights After the transfer, voters will be allowed to choose between
of the indigenous people are treated with respect. remaining part of France or becoming an independent country.
A great injustice has been done to the Kanak people whose Whatever happens in November, France has stated publicly that
lands were colonised in 1853 on behalf of it will recognise and abide by the results of the referendum. In the
French Napoleon by Admiral Febvrier Despointes. event that the motion for independence fails, New Caledonians
will vote again on the issue in 2020 and 2023.
legitimcy This referendum allows a chance for
France to listen to the cries of the people At this stage it appears that most voters favour New Caledonia
who have – sometimes forcibly – played as an autonomous part of the French Republic.
host to the officials of the Republic for 165 years. Some polls conducted this year claim that only 54 per cent of
From a penal colony in the 1860s, New Caledonia became a voters favour remaining with France.
place for the resettlement of prisoners who had served their time Among the young Kanak population, however, there appears
and were not necessarily wanted in France. to be a growing movement towards independence, manifested by
At the time no consideration was given to the impact of the attacks on white New Caledonians and their property.
presence of the resettled prisoners would have on the lives of the It is essential for the referendum to be conducted in a free and
original inhabitants of New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands. transparent manner. This freedom and transparency must be the
Later the territory became an integral part of the French military first consideration of France and its officials.
establishment, offering safe harbour to naval units, landing areas Once the results are declared, it will be important for the ad-
for the air force and a permanent base for the army. ministration to bring together both sides of the debate and ensure
With the growing struggle for global supremacy by China and frank discussions on the way forward.
India, France’s Pacific territories – New Caledonia, French Poly- At every stage it will be important to engage the indigenous
nesia and Wallis and Futuna – are pivotal. people who have been without a real say for too long.
They offer France the unique opportunity to legitimately surveil Only through inclusivity and true dialogue will the peace and
maritime and aviation corridors along China’s ambitious New Silk prosperity of New Caledonia be guaranteed.

6 Islands Business, August 2018