Wibaux: Trust in France

crnand Wibaux, former French ambassador to Lebanon, was High Commissioner to New Caledo nia from June 1985 to July this year.

Shortly before his departure, he discussed the Pons plan for the territory, re-inscription of New Caledonia with the UN, the role of the military in tribal areas and the achievements during his stay.

Wibaux arrived in New Caledonia only weeks after some of the worst violence the territory has seen.

He said: “Here we have a population who live together in the territory but who’ve become separated in recent years. The French government had to deal with a violent movement not only in 1984 from the Melanesian world which demonstrated its feelings, but in May, 1985, faced a European reaction which was equally serious.

“I don’t think a happy solution can be found in disorder and conflict and my task was at all costs to achieve a calming of tempers as much on one side as on the other.”

Wibaux felt his term as High Commissioner went some way towards achieving this goal as all sides took part in the September ’B5 regional elections which enabled the electoral potential of each group to be seen.

“1 understand the worry of the FLNKS that there is not a majority in favour of independence for the time being that is clear enough. But I believe that (FLNKS) work in the regions can bring about a change in the behaviour of Caledonians,” he said.

“From the moment when people weren’t frightening each other we can come to a better understanding of the problem, to a more rapid evolution of the political situation. The current drama is that each side wants to make the other afraid. It’s the most tragic situation you can have when you are seeking a political solution.”

He said that many of the aims of the socialist government as reflected in the Fabius-Pisani plan can

still be met despite the changes brought about by the Chirac regime.

“The principle of regionalisation is preserved, that is to gain a more active participation of the people in the interior in public affairs and, at the same time, to allow an apprenticeship and evolution in political affairs.

“Jean-Marie Tjibaou has said many times that it is up to Melanesians to prove their capacity as managers, and particularly in economic development,” he said.

“And 1 don’t doubt their capacity.”

In recent months the French government has taken to stationing French army units for short stays in tribal areas, a practise known as “nomadisation” of which the FLNKS has repeatedly complained.

“What is happening,” said Wibaux, “is that the minister sought a useful way to provide economic resources for the country, and thought to use the troops that are here. For instance the army doctor is available if people want his services. The army provides roadworks, transport and so on.”

He did not think the move by the forum countries to have New Caledonia re-listed before the UN decolonisa tion committee “would add or detract from the intentions of the French government.”

“1 don’t want to upset the UN, to lack deference, but working in the Ministry of Overseas Territories, I saw the problem we had with Togo and Cameroon who were under the control of the UN committee and I saw the evolution of other countries who were not listed, such as Senegal and the Ivory Coast.

“I believe that evolution was easier for the latter countries ... The problem is to trust in France, in their determination to emancipate the territory. If you don’t have this trust, you can seek all the political platforms, all the tribunes possible. But I don’t think that advances

things.”

Helen Fraser.