get France out

French Polynesia

Another move to get France out

SIX years ago the Solomon Islands was the catalyst in a move that led to New Caledonia being re-inscribed on the list of the United Nation’s non-self governing territories. The move led to the Matignon Accords, a peace agreement through which France agrees to a refer endum on independence in 1998. Now The Solomons is pushing again. This time it has asked the United Nations to get French Polynesia, France’s other big possession in the Pacific, to be put on the same list. If the Solomons’ latest move is as successful as its first, then French Polynesia, like New Caledonia, will be a step closer to indepen dence.

In a speech at the current General Assembly in New York, the UN represen tative of the solomon islands, Francis Bogutu, said France in 1946 unilaterally withdrew French Polynesia and New Caledonia from the list of such territories.

Administering powers of non-self governing territories are required to submit reports on social, economic and

political developments.

Bogutu said his country was pleased to have been one of the first, six years ago, to request that New Caledonia be re inscribed. “Today, we would ask once again that our Polynesian brothers of French Polynesia be favoured in the same manner by this world body, which believes in the legitimate freedom of man and nations to look after their own affairs.”

Bogutu said the indigenous peoples of French Polynesia have perservered with their land being occupied by France since 1842, testing nuclear bombs and pollut ing its seas. “(They) have been waiting in the wings patiently, desirous to be re inscribed ... With the aim of gaining independence and becoming a member of this community of nations in their own right.” □