Page 14 - IB June 2017

Politics
‘ It is commonplace for French politicians to condemn the ‘

sins of history without accepting that colonialism is still

a core 21st Century French Republic

New Caledonians cast the first votes in the French presidential elections. Photo:File
n From PAGE 13 subject, especially not the Republican most mainstream politicians over the
candidate Francois Fillon, who raised the last decade: the French state will ac-
Wallis and Futuna has historically has FLNKS flag over public buildings in New company the people of New Caledonia
voted for the Socialist Party in the Na- Caledonia and voted in favour of freezing towards the end of the Noumea Accord
tional Assembly rather than conservative the electoral rolls.” and the choice for the future belongs to
forces. In Mata-Utu, Macron had a more Macron angered conservative oppo- New Caledonians.
convincing score, winning 79.1% of the nents during the election by denouncing “Even if, on my part, I want New
second round vote against Le Pen’s 20.8 French colonialism in Algeria as a “crime Caledonia to remain within the national
per cent. against humanity” and “barbarism” community, it is up to New Caledonians
Many people in the French Pacific de- (over 1 million people died during the to decide the future of New Caledonia,”
pendencies are more interested in this Algerian war in 1954-62). His comments Macron said. “If I am elected President
month’s legislative elections than the in part targeted Jean-Marie Le Pen, father of the Republic, my role will be to ensure
presidential vote. This vote will choose of the FN candidate and a veteran of the that this choice can be made with calm
representatives to the French National Algerian conflict. and clarity, then to begin work to ensure
Assembly in Paris (two for New Cale- Don’t hold your breath, however, for that the choice is respected. Whatever the
donia and French Polynesia, one for the new President to denounce France’s decision, the French Republic will be on
Wallis and Futuna), who will play a vital colonial wars in the Pacific as “barba- New Caledonia’s side because there can
role liaising with the incoming French rism” or contemporary French colonial- never be a rupture in our historic ties.”
government. ism as a “crime against humanity.” It Even so, the stronger showing for the
is commonplace for French politicians Front National candidate in New Caledo-
21st Century colonialism to condemn the sins of history without nia highlights the polarisation of politics
During the election campaign, Marine accepting that colonialism is still a core between fearful white voters and Kanaks
Le Pen fervently stressed her support for element of the 21st century French Re- looking towards a new political status.
French colonialism in the Pacific. public (this was clearly shown in 2013 The French State, under UN monitoring,
“Beyond any shadow of a doubt, I am when French diplomats exploded in an- must still finalise the voting roll for the
in favour of a French New Caledonia,” ger as Pacific island countries supported 2018 referendum, with thousands of
she said. “Only the French Republic can French Polynesia’s re-inscription on the indigenous Kanaks still to be registered
guarantee security and liberty for ev- United Nations list of non-self-governing on the general voting roll.
eryone as well as provide financial sup- territories). Macron has a lot on his plate.
port. No other candidate is clear on this During the campaign, Macron repeated q nicmac3056@gmail.com
the rhetoric that has been common for

14 Islands Business, May 2017