New Hebrides a forum priority

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 1

New Hebrides a forum priority

NZPA correspondent Tarawa

South Pacific leaders yesterday voiced dismay about recent events in the New Hebrides, and called on Britain and France to ensure that independence was achieved on July 30. The New Hebrides joined the South Pacific Forum as its thirteenth member when the forum began its two-day meeting at Tarawa, the seat of Government of Kiribati (formerly the . Gilbert Islands). The Chief Minister of the New Hebrides (the Rev. Walter Lini) took his seat at the conference table to vote with other leaders for a firmly worded resolution which will be sent to the British and French Governments. The forum leaders said that the authority of the elected Government, and

the unity of the territory, was being threatened by the illegal actions of a few, especially in the Luganville area of Santo Island.

They called on the two administering powers, Britain and France, to “meet the express wish of the elected Parliament and Government of the New Hebrides to achieve independence on July 30, 1980, in terms of the agreed constitution.” The forum leaders said that it was the “particular and immediate responsibility” , of Britain and France to effect a smooth and full transfer of authority to the elected Government of a unified and stable independent State. They called on Britain and France to use all means to restore law and order — “including respect for democratic processes” — by immediately securing an end to all defiance of the national authority.

The resolution said forum members would watch closely how the two administering Powers discharged their responsibilities.

The forum spokesman, Sir Julius Chan, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, said that Father Lini had not raised the question of the forum’s sending an observer group to the New Hebrides.

“There is really no doubt in the forum’s mind that the July 30 independence date will be achieved,” Sir Julius said. This was why there had been no discussion about sending observers.

Sir Julius said that the question of New Caledonia could arise at the forum, although it was not on the agenda. Mr Yann Celene Uregei, a representative of New Caledonia’s Independence Front, is in Tarawa to lobby forum leaders.