Forum Meeting

Strong showing at Forum Meeting

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t was perhaps the strongest showing yet of South Pacific f-orum unity in support of New Caledonian independence. A dozen of the 14 forum nations, meeting in early March in Auckland, backed without demur a communique condemning Frenchmans for its troubled Pacific colony.

Forum foreign ministers came to an emphatic conclusion after a two and a half hour review of draft French referendum plans: they were inadequate and most critically failed to address Kanak needs.

Declaring that French policy “was directed towards maintenance of New Caledonia as part of the French Republic,’’ the forum spelled out how it believed the “desirable and inevit-

. . „ , able aim of independence was best pursued.

Its preferred vehicle is the United Nations. But the Chirac Government way, according to the forum, fails to meet accepted UN principles and practices.

Urging France to put its referendum on the back burner until it fell into line with the UN code of behaviour, the forum held out the olive branch of dialogue to ease tensions in New Caledonia.

The forum believes the Paris solution in New Caledonia guarantees the status quo and possibly violence. It wants options extended to include “associated independence,” and “internal self government.”

It also is pushing for a

narrowing of the referendum franchise to “only those who can demonstrate long-term resi dence in, and commitment to New Caledonia.”

The foreign ministers’ state ment was restrained. It mildly rebuked France for “serious shortcomings” in its Noumea policy but did not shrilly de nounce the metropolitan power.

Nor was there any division when the brief gathering ended from the peppery Melanesian block.

According to officials, the forum wants to get talking with France and sees little to be gained by bitter public disputes.

Officials also consider dissent within France may be strong enough to have the referendum tossed out and see little point in uniting French opinion.

Support has since been de livered by the UN decolonisa tion committee the Commit tee of 24 which on March 18

threw its voice behind attempts to budge Paris.

One Pacific leader certain to be pleased with the events of March is forum chairman and Fijian Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

He called the Auckland meeting with a hasty two weeks’ notice. With Fijian elec tions due in May he had a big stake in a successful outcome.

From his perspective he probably achieved that. Relax ed and cheerful at Auckland’s luxury Regent Hotel, Ratu Mara could not resist stirring the Pacific waters with some gentle digs at French regional policy.

Paris was “doing its best” to divide forum members, he told a press conference. To curry favour French diplomats had sent soothing letters to Pacific leaders in a bid to win political support.

One note said in part: “France appreciates the import ance of your role, your modera tion, your discernment, your wisdom, widely appreciated in the region ...”

Ratu Mara did not identify the leder to whom this gift of Gallic charm was sent. It was, officials said, the chairman him self. From Andrew Stone in Auckland.

Forum Chairman Ratu Mara.