Mitterrand’s dilemma in the Pacific

Press, 23 November 1981, Page 16

Mitterrand’s dilemma in the Pacific

By

PAUL WEBSTER

in Paris President Francois Mitterrand’s plan to develop a special relationship between France and the Third World is compromised by a tense political struggle 19.000 kilometres from the French capital. An increasingly strong independence movement among the native Melanesian population in the French territory of New Caledonia in the South Pacific has stepped up a campaign to condemn France as a colonial power and demand immediate French withdrawal. But a series of urgent meetings both in Paris and Noumea earlier this month has shown hesitation in the French Gov-, ernment’s commitment to let ting local people look after their own affairs. New Caledonia, with its 133,000 population, seems on the surface an easy problem after the decolonisation of Algeria, black Africa and Indochina, but may become one of the most difficult. Dominating the problem is the distribution of the population, nearly half of whom are white settlers, some of whose.

families have been established there since France annexed the island 121 years ago, half a century after it was discovered and named by Captain James Cook. ’ . The colonists pushed out the Melanesian population from the rich lands on the main island. While the territory prospered with its vast nickel resources, owned by a French company, the Melanesians, usually known as Kanaks, eked out a subsistence living as farm labourers or miners. For the last decade, pressure from the Melanesians for a greater share in power has been openly supported by Leftwing French settlers outside the farming industry, notably Mr Pierre Declercq, whose murder two months ago led to a crisis on the island. Mr Declercq, a teacher, organised the main pro-Melanesian freedom movement and was shot dead by a white man soon after obtaining promises from President Mitterrand of-early moves on i independence. A recent settler, Mr Declercq had close . links with the French Socialist and Communist Parties who actively -backed him inside France. - _

But the only notable response to the murder from Pans was - the rushing in of security forces to protect the white population. Impatience at the lack of clear political moves on independence was seen .as responsible for renewed rioting on the island in the middle of the.month when whites were attacked and their property damaged. The attacks coincided with the distribution of strongly anti-French pamphlets describing Mr Mitterrand’s Government as “colonialist.”

Mr Mitterrand subsequently held special meetings in Paris with both his ministers and representatives: of the New Caledonia Territorial Assembly, and now has to make a' series of carefully balanced political and strategic decisions. While those meetings were going on 20,000 whites and ■ supporters of links with France, mainly from the Vietnamese and Indian immigrant communities, marched in a “silent majority” protest in Noumea while white farmer organisations threatened a Rhodesia-style. resistance movement.

But on the other side of the island. Kanak movements called for support from recently independent Pacific nations like Papua New Guinea . and Fiji, which already back moves for the French to leave and who are implicitly supported by Australia and New Zealand. While further delay could increase moves from" Pacific countries to condemn the French in organisations like the United Nations, Mr Mitterrand must consider a possible chain reaction. French territories in the Caribbean like Guadeloupe and Martinique, as well as the Indian Ocean territory of Reunion, would eventually expect the same treat-

ment. All are important strategic navy bases but their importance is insignificant compared to the territory most affected by developments in New Caledonia — Polynesia. The islands are still the main testing base for French nuclear weapons, the main reason why France would like to maintain the status quo in the Pacific and why countries like Australia and New Zealand are determined that the French should leave. — Copyright. London Observer Service.