of relief

New Caledonia

The song of relief

THE song brought relief to hardline Kanaks. It was a special anthem composed in memory of the heroes who have died during the strug gle for self rule. For those who attended the two-day Union Caledonienne (UC) convention, the anthem, sung by every one at the gathering at Mare in the Loyalty Islands, was a fitting farewell af ter two days of intense debate. For the Kanaks it was a moving display of

strength, unity, and moderation.

It meant that the party, the largest component of the Kanak Socialist

National Liberation Front (FLNKS), has

managed to stay together despite the

assassination of UC chief Jean-Marie Tjibaou and his deputy Yeiwene Yeiwene at Ouvea last May. Things were shaky following the provincial elections in June when party officials were criti cised for seeming to be too occupied with new commitments. Some critics alleged at the time the UC officials were getting too close to the opposition Rally for the Republic in New Caledonia (RCPR). They were seen as being ele vated beyond the reach of the ordinary supporters by their new duties, the body guards and the chauffeured cars. For the party supporters in the bush, there was no indication of change in New Caledonia, even after a year of the

Matignon Accord.

The two-day convention at Mare last month reflected this feeling of frustra tion. The party leaders were continually reminded of their roles as representa tives of the party. The debates were de scribed as “animated”.

Party boss Francois Burck, who suc ceeded his longtime friend Tjibaou, was re-elected UC president. He won 115 votes (20 more than when he was first elected last May) out of 157, a clear sign of the growing confidence of the party

in his leadership. Vice-president Leopold

Joredie was absent because of a death in the family. He was re-elected after two rounds of voting. Ricard Kaloi, of Mare, became the second vice-president, a new position created at this convention to

give the Loyalty Islands a representative

in the top leadership.

The biggest surprise was the failure of Rymard Bouanaoue to regain the seat of the general secretary. Bouanaoue is mayor of Relep. He was absent from the convention and observers believe his abs ence contributed largely to his non-re election. He was replaced by little-known Francois Vouty, a 44-year-old with no previous official role in the party. He is seen as the man who will rebuild the link between the party leadership and the grassroots people. He was described as “a man who has time to meet (the peo ple) and listen to them. He is not stuck in a town hall or in an office”. □

Burck, Kaloi, Vouti: reminded of their roles as leaders.