Vanuatu aims to be an island paradise

Press, 25 September 1980, Page 4

Vanuatu aims to be an island paradise

An island paradise in the South Pacific attracting tourists and their money is the aim of Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides), according to the chief co-or-dinator of the ruling party, Mr William Edgell. A feasibility study is planned to improve the airport to take international jets, and big foreign firms will be offered incentives to build hotels and invest money in the country. “We do not have the knowledge or the expertise to take on this development and so we have to attract outsiders,” said Mr EdgelJ in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Edgell is on a 17-day tour of New Zealand thanking churches, trade unions, universities, social groups, and other organisations for their support during the recent quest for independence. Vanuatu gained independence on June 30 from a French-British condominium, just after rebels led by Jimmy Stevens ousted Gov-

ernment officials from Espiritu Santo, the largest island of the group, and declared it an independent republic. This revolt was subsequently quashed and life in Vanuatu is returning to normal. .

“Our economy suffered as a result of the uprising.

Many of the French businessmen fled to New Caledonia because they feared repercussions once French power on the island had been lost,” Mr Edgell said.

As the French controlled 80 per cent of the business sector, Vanuatu was now trying to attract these former residents back.

“Our unemployment rate is higher now than before independence because of this loss,” Mr Edgell said. Because many of the rebels on Espiritu Santo fled to New Caledonia when their revolt was crushed, fears are held there that a similar uprising could occur. Mr Edgell said his Government would support any peaceful move by New Caledonia to gain independence. While in New Zealand, Mr Edgell is gauging support for his country and an approach might be made in the New Year to the Government for closer ties between the two countries.