Letters To The Editor
pp. 7-8 · Read in the full issue
Independence and the accord
Dear Sir, I wish to contribute to Kalinga Seneviratne’s country report on New Caledonia (PIM May, 1997). Specific ref erences will be made on the implications of the Matignon Accord on the fight for independence in New Caledonia. I gather from the report that the main pillar of the accord is to ‘rebalance the economic scales’ in the country over a decade. It is hoped, therefore, that in late 1998, a vote of independence will be the end result.
However, events within that 10-year period dictate that the actual intention of the accord is not too obviously evident as such but carefully hidden within the signed agreement itself. Only thorough analysis and careful reading in between the lines of
the document will detect the impurities of the agreement. This suggests that the excuse for the accord to promote equitable economic balance between all races in New Caledonia is only a camouflage.
I wish to substantiate this claim.
Firstly, I am of the opinion that the establishment of FLNKS provinces in the Loyalty Islands and north of the main island were ploys to neutralise the FLNKS voice for independence. This was especial ly obvious in the French government’s resistance to provide a mining permit to Societe Miniere du Sud Pacifique (SMSP) - an FLNKS-aligned mining company.
It is also encouraging, especially for independence-minded citizens, to note that a portion of SMSP’s retained profit is redi rected to SOFINOR - which is by virtue a parent company of SMSP. In this connec
tion, I uphold the decision by SOFINOR to form Compagnie D’lnvestissements Touristiques (CIT) for tourism develop ment.
However, despite these positive initia tives, it is heartening to note that the pur chase of three big hotels in Noumea by CIT was not welcomed by Jacques Lafluer.
This was made worse by the fact that one of the hotels, Le Surf, housed the only casino in Noumea.
Secondly, I would suggest that Lafluer’s jealously and selfish attitude evi dent in his denial of equal business oppor tunities in the Rassemblement Pour Caledonie dans la Republique (RPCP)controlled South Province for CIT is a good enough reason against the stated and so-called aims of the Matignon Accord for balanced economic development.
This is to say that Lafluer’s actions were indicative of the fact that RPCR is against the rebalance of economic devel opment in the country.
In this regard, one can deduce that Lafluer’s particular reference to the issuance of restrictions on the opening hours of the casino is counter-supportive of the Matignon Accord principle.
Is this act not contradictory to the so called aim of ‘economic rebalance’ for all races?
Lastly, I am also sceptical of the gen uine spirit for the Cadres 400 programme.
The involvement of the government of France to educate New Caledonians on all subjects relating to French philosophies, principles, histories and theories in all France mainland universities and colleges can be seen as a means to brainwash the few educated indigenous citizens of the country.
To remain faithful to motherland is per haps the bottom line. To this end, I have no option but to equate Cadres 400 to the development of right-wing support for France.
RPCR, in other words, is the direct ben eficiary of the scheme.
On the worse side of the system is FLNKS’s inverse relationship to Cadres 400. On another level, I will proclaim from an observer’s point of view that the actual intentions of the Matignon Accord are to politically suppress the FLNKS’s cry for
independence.
The tactics applied were heavy migra tion of anti-independence supporters from mainland France to New Caledonia over a decade and a political fallacy of giving more autonomy to FLNKS in the provinces north of the mainland and the Loyalty Islands. As a matter of fact, France and PRCR are being successful in making fools
Of Flnks.
As a way out of this Matignon-tied web, FLNKS leadership is starting to talk of a South African-style option. The chances of power sharing, however, are doubtful at this stage.
Renee Sore, Honiara,
Solomon Islands.