Bishop’s interview a ‘breath

‘breath of fresh air’

I was greatly impressed by the interview with the former Bishop of Noumea Monsignor Pierre Martin (PIM Mar. p 24).

The calm tenor of Monsignor Martin’s remarks, and his ob vious experience and apprecia tion of both sides in the present wretched situation in New Cale donia, were a breath of fresh air after the fevered bombast which has characterised so much recent discusion of the problem, both in the territory itself and in the National Assembly in Paris.

I was particularly impressed with the former bishop’s refer ences to the experiences of Fiji and the Cook Islands, as poss ibly offering useful pointers to a political solution in New Cale donia. This reflects the man’s ability to adopt a wider perspec tive on Pacific Island affairs than the blinkered and embittered approaches which have done so much to bring the situation to the pass at which it now stands. After all, New Caledo nia is a Pacific Islands entity,

with a colonial past not so very dissimilar to many others.

There must surely be aspects of the post-colonial political arrangements in some of these other places which could be helpful to it, across the formid able, but in some respects irrelevant, “anglophone-fran cophone” barrier.

Finally, I was pleased to read his first-hand account of the priestly experience of FLNKS leader, Jean-Marie Tjibaou.

Perhaps the testimony of the prelate who ordained Mr Tjibaou, and later released him from his vows, will serve to shut up some of Tjibaou’s political opponents, who never seem to tire of trying to inject some sinister significance into his de parture from the priesthood.

But I suppose the recent history of New Caledonia would indicate that this is really too much to hope.

P. Warbeck

Sydney NSW Australia