DOCSLIB.ORG

State Governance in Melanesia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
State Governance in Melanesia Number 3/2009 Briefing Note NEW GOVERNMENT IN NEW CALEDONIA The May 2009 Elections in a French Pacific Territory INTRODUCTION political contest between different members of the independence coalition Front de Libération Nationale Every five years, voters in New Caledonia go to the polls, Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS). The rise of the new to elect representatives to three provincial assemblies Parti Travailliste (Labour Party) has strengthened but (North, South and Loyalty Islands) and the local complicated the movement for independence. Congress. The provincial assemblies and Congress are local Following elections on 10 May 2009, there are political institutions created by the Noumea Accord, 31 members of anti-independence parties in the which was signed in May 1998 by representatives new Congress and 23 independence supporters. The conservative Rassemblement UMP (RUMP), with of the French state, the FLNKS and the leading anti- 13 seats, is the largest political party in the Congress. independence party Rassemblement pour la Calédonie But behind these bald figures, all is not well for the dans la République (RPCR). supporters of France in the South Pacific. Today, more than ten years into the Noumea Accord Overall, pro-independence parties increased their process, New Caledonia’s politics are marked by a level representation in the Congress by five seats compared of stability and inter-communal engagement that is to the last elections in 2004. Anti-independence parties markedly different to the era of violent clashes between dominate the Southern Province Assembly but are 1984 and 1988. But in spite of major political, economic largely irrelevant outside the capital Noumea, winning and social restructuring and extensive funding by the only two of 22 seats in the Northern Assembly and, for French state, the election results show there is still a the first time ever, losing all their seats in the Loyalty significant gulf between parties which support or oppose Islands. This result highlights the ongoing polarisation political independence from France. Most members of between Noumea and the bush: in spite of migration the indigenous Kanak community continue to vote for from rural areas to the capital, European and immigrant independence, although they are still a minority of New Wallisian voters hold sway in the Southern Province, Caledonia’s population as a result of colonial settlement while the indigenous Kanak population (who largely and ongoing immigration. support independence) dominate in the rural provinces. These elections reflect a key issue for policy The elections were marked by significant makers in the Pacific region—can electoral reform and competition between the anti-independence parties, the promotion of a multi-party coalition government highlighted by a drop in votes for the RUMP, the transcend ongoing economic and social cleavages in a decline of the Avenir Ensemble party and success for multi-ethnic society? As in Fiji, the evidence from the the new Calédonie Ensemble party led by Philippe 2009 elections in New Caledonia suggests that many Gomes, who won the position of President of the underlying divisions are still unresolved. The election Government of New Caledonia. There is also a sharp campaign featured debate over ‘hip pocket’ issues like SSGM Briefing Note No. 3/2009 local employment, housing and prices, but the issue of national Congress, a multi-party executive govern- ‘independence or autonomy within the French republic’ ment, and a 16-member Senate for Kanak customary is still central to political life. chiefs which must be consulted on issues that affect This briefing note starts by outlining New Kanak identity Caledonia’s parliamentary and electoral system. It then 2. the creation of a “New Caledonian citizenship”, analyses the results of the 2009 elections for both pro- with a restricted electoral roll for the local political and anti-independence parties and details the post- institutions election formation of the government. It also notes key issues arising from the campaign that have relevance for 3. an “irreversible” transfer of administrative and neighbouring Pacific states. legislative powers from Paris to the local authorities in Noumea, supported by ongoing funding from France PART 1: NEW CALEDONIA’s POLITICAL 4. a 15–20 year transition before a referendum on self- STRUCTURES determination for New Caledonia, possibly leading to The 1988 Matignon–Oudinot Accords ended a period the “emancipation” of the territory and the transfer of conflict in New Caledonia which pitted Kanak of the remaining sovereign powers (defence, foreign independence activists against the French army, police policy, police, judiciary, currency) and right-wing militias supported by elements of the 5. measures to recognise indigenous Kanak culture and settler community. Most leaders wanted to avoid a identity (highlighted by a preamble to the Noumea clash at the end of the ten-year Matignon period, so Accord which acknowledges the “shadows” of the a new agreement dubbed the Noumea Accord was colonial period and the need for decolonisation). negotiated to avoid a referendum on independence in 1998. This deal created new political structures and These changes are now entrenched in the French electoral systems to encourage political co-operation Constitution and New Caledonia has a unique legal status between competing parties. It also created a further amongst France’s overseas possessions. However, New transition period before a final decision on New Caledonian citizens retain their French nationality and Caledonia’s political status, in a referendum scheduled New Caledonia is represented in the French parliament after 2014 (for discussion of the agreement by France’s in Paris, with two seats in the National Assembly and chief negotiator, see Christnacht 2004). one in the Senate. All French nationals in New Caledonia Key elements of the May 1998 Noumea Accord can also vote for the European Parliament. include: Since the Noumea Accord, elections for the local 1. the creation of new political institutions in New assemblies and Congress have been held every five Caledonia, including three provincial assemblies, a years—in 1999, 2004 and again in 2009. TABle 1: New Caledonia’S provincial inStitUtionS Southern Northern Loyalty Islands TOTAL Province Province Province Population numbers 164,235 44,747 22,080 231,062 (2004 census) (71.2 per cent) (19.3 per cent) (9.6 per cent) Number of registered 83,648 32,677 19,607 135,932 voters (2009) Number of seats in 40 22 14 76 Provincial assembly Number of assembly 32 15 7 54 members in Congress 2 SSGM Briefing Note No. 3/2009 New Caledonia uses the French system of electoral To gain a seat, an electoral list must win enough votes lists: voters aged 18 and above chose from a range of to reach the threshold of five per cent of registered (not slates put forward by parties or coalitions, with seats actual) voters in the province. This threshold varies allocated according to the proportion of the vote (for according to population and the number of seats in each details of electoral law, candidate and voter eligibility, assembly: in 2009, the threshold was 981 votes (Islands), see Maclellan 2005). Voting is not compulsory, and there 1,634 (North) and 4,182 (South). are variations in turn-out across the three provinces and Votes for lists that do not reach the five per cent also according to the type of election (for example, voter threshold are not re-allocated. This threshold is designed turn out in the Pacific is very low for EU elections). to encourage parties to unite and form coalitions, but The electorates are based on the three provinces: has been largely unsuccessful, and can leave significant the Southern Province, with over 70 per cent of the sections of the electorate without parliamentary population; the Northern Province; and the Loyalty representation. The number of electoral lists has risen Islands Province (though urbanisation and new over time from 20 (1989) to 21 (1995), 23 (1999) and 31 development projects in the north are shifting the (2004). In 2009, the number of lists was slightly reduced population and over a third of the population of the to 24: ten in the South and seven each in the North and outlying islands now live on the mainland, mainly in Loyalty Islands. In 2004, 17 out of 31 lists failed to the capital Noumea and surrounding towns). reach the threshold, meaning some 17,350 voters went On 10 May 2009, voters chose 76 members for unrepresented (nearly 20 per cent of the electorate). Even the three provincial assemblies. The assemblies are with fewer lists in 2009, 10 out of 24 failed to reach the of different sizes, reflecting population distribution: threshold—a total of 12,705 votes being wasted (13 per Southern Province (40 seats); Northern Province (22 cent of the electorate). seats); Loyalty Islands Province (14 seats). Each assembly PART 2: ELECTION RESUltS then elects its own President and executive. A proportion of the members of these assemblies The 2009 elections in New Caledonia have reinforced then make up the 54-member Congress, with members a trend evident over the last decade: in the 1980s and serving five-year terms. The Congress is made up of 32 1990s, the FLNKS and RPCR were hegemonic blocs, (out of 40) members from the Southern Assembly, 15 but today these two forces are fracturing into competing (out of 22) from the Northern Assembly and 7 (out of 14) political parties. As well as disputes within both political from the Loyalty Islands Assembly. camps, the latest election has seen the marginalisation Following the first post-election sitting of the of some parties opposed to the Noumea Accord (such Congress, its members choose a multi-party government as the neo-fascist National Front) and the growth of a of between five and eleven people. The Government significant new force on the Left—the Parti Travailliste can propose laws for adoption by the Congress in areas (Labour Party).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Your Cruise Marquesas, the Tuamotus & Society Islands
    Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands From 6/11/2021 From Papeete, Tahiti Island Ship: LE PAUL GAUGUIN to 20/11/2021 to Papeete, Tahiti Island From Tahiti, PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises invites you to embark on an all-new 15-day cruise to the heart of idyllic islands and atolls hemmed by stunning clear-water lagoons and surrounded by an exceptional coral reef. Aboard Le Paul Gauguin, set sail to discover French Polynesia, considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Le Paul Gauguin will stop at the heart of the Tuamotu Islands to explore the marvellous depths of the atoll of Fakarava, a UNESCO-classified nature reserve. Discover the unique charms of Marquesasthe Islands. The singer- songwriter Jacques Brel sang about the Marquesas Islands and the painter Paul Gauguin was inspired by these islands which stand like dark green fortresses surrounded by the indigo blue of the Pacific. Here, you will find neither lagoons nor reefs. The archipelago’s charm lies in its wild beauty. In the heart of the dense forests of Nuku Hiva, droplets from the waterfalls dive off the vertiginous cliffs. As for the islands of Hiva Oa and Fatu Hiva, they still hide mysterious ancient petroglyphs. In the Society Islands, you will be dazzled by the incomparable beauty of Huahine, by the turquoise waters of the Motu Mahana, our private vanilla- scented little paradise, by the sumptuous lagoon of Bora Bora, with its distinctly recognisable volcanic silhouette, and by Moorea, with its hillside pineapple plantations and its verdant peaks overlooking the island. Discover our excursions without further delay - click here! The information in this document is valid as of 28/9/2021 Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands YOUR STOPOVERS : PAPEETE, TAHITI ISLAND Embarkation 6/11/2021 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Departure 6/11/2021 at 11:59 pm Capital of French Polynesia, the city Papeeteof is on the north-west coast of the island of Tahiti.
    [Show full text]
  • 2* Mmo ]\\U U^4 M
    WAGENINGEN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PAPERS 90-3 (1990) Observations on distribution, ecology and cultivation ofth e tuber-bearing legumegenu sPachyrhizus Rich ,e xDC . Marten S0rensen Department of Botany Royal Veterinary andAgricultural University Rolighedsvej 23 DK-1958 Frederiksberg C (Copenhagen) Denmark OUrVANGEM 2* mmo Wageningen mm Agricultural University ]\\u U^4M »IBUOTHEEÏg CÄMDBOUWUNIVEßSIIEQi WAGENINGEN CIP-dataKoninklijk e Bibliotheek, DenHaa g Sorensen,M . Observations on distributyion, ecology and cultivation of the tuber-bearing legumegenu sPachyrhizu s Rich,e xDC ./ M.S0rensen .- Wageningen :Agricultura l University. - 111.- (Wageningen Agricultural Universitypapers . ISSN0169-345 X; 90-3(1990) ) Withref . ISBN90-6754-168- 0 SISO632. 4UD C 633.49NUGI83 5 Subject headings:Pachyrhizu s/ tuber-bearin glegume . ISBN90-6754-168- 0 NUGI 835 © Agricultural UniversityWageningen ,Th eNetherlands ,1990 . No part of this publication, apart from abstract, bibliographic and brief quo­ tationsembodie di ncritica lreviews ,ma yb ereproduced , re-corded orpublishe d inan yfor mincludin gprint ,photocopy ,microform , elektronico relektromagne - ticrecor dwithou t written permission from thepublishe r Agricultural Universi­ ty,P.O.Bo x9101 ,670 0H BWageningen ,th eNetherlands . Printedi nth eNetherland sb yDrukkeri j Veenman B.V.,Wageninge n Abstract The distribution, ecology and cultivation of the genus Pachyrhizus is examined on the basis of herbarium taxonomie studies, field observations, growth experi­ ments under greenhouse condition and study of relevant literature. The great potential of the genus as a high-yielding tuber crop for tropical countries isconfirme d and specific areas in need of further study are indicated. Contents Introduction 1 Materials and methods 1 General remarks on the genus 2 Notes on the species 3 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Report for the 2002 Pacific Biological Survey, Bishop Museum Austral Islands, French Polynesia Expedition to Raivavae and Rapa Iti
    Rapa K.R. Wood photo New Raivavae Damselfly Sicyopterus lagocephalus: Raivavae REPORT FOR THE 2002 PACIFIC BIOLOGICAL SURVEY, BISHOP MUSEUM AUSTRAL ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA EXPEDITION TO RAIVAVAE AND RAPA ITI Prepared for: Délégation à la Recherche (Ministère de la Culture, de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche), B.P. 20981 Papeete, Tahiti, Polynésie française. Prepared by: R.A. Englund Pacific Biological Survey Bishop Museum Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96817 March 2003 Contribution No. 2003-004 to the Pacific Biological Survey 2002 Trip Report: Expedition to Raivavae and Rapa, Austral Islands, French Polynesia TABLE OF CONTENTS Résumé ..................................................................................................................................................................iii Abstract.................................................................................................................................................................. iv Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 Study Area.............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Aquatic Habitats- Raivavae .............................................................................................................................. 3 Aquatic Habitats- Rapa....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Under a New Flag. Defining Citizenship
    THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY School of International, Political and Strategic Studies State, Society and Governance in Melanesia State Society and in Governance Melanesia DISCUSSION PAPER Discussion Paper 2010/2 UNDER A NEW FLAG? DEFINING CITIZENSHIP IN NEW CALEDONIA In October 2009, the French government French Constitution, which states that France NIC launched a ‘grand debate on national iden- is an ‘indivisible republic’ and ensures ‘the MACLELLAN tity’. Through the Ministry of Immigration and equality of all citizens before the law, without National Identity, the government set up a distinction of origin, race or religion’. website asking ‘For you, what does it mean In spite of these principles, the May to be French?’.1 1998 Noumea Accord includes the creation This initiative sought community perspec- of a New Caledonian ‘citizenship’, as a tives on citizenship in an age of globalisation legal mechanism to allow positive discrimi- and migration into Europe from Africa, the nation for the indigenous Kanak people and Maghreb and Mashreq. It also came at a other long-term residents of New Caledo- time when France, Belgium and Switzerland nia, against French soldiers, public servants were engaged in debates over Islam and and other workers on short-term contracts the banning of the burqa, hijab and mosque who mostly vote against independence. As minarets. detailed below, New Caledonian citizens are But this debate over nationality, identity given certain privileges—in voting, employ- and citizenship also raises significant issues ment and economic rights—that are not for people living in France’s overseas depen- available to all French nationals who are liv- dencies.
    [Show full text]
  • The World's Modern Autonomy Systems
    2 The concepT of poliTical auTonomy Thomas Benedikter The World‘s Modern Autonomy Systems Concepts and Experiences of Regional Territorial Autonomy 1 The World’s Modern Autonomy Systems Institute of Minority Rights Concepts and Experiences of Regional Territorial EURAC Research Autonomy Viale Druso/Drususallee 1 I – 39100 Bolzano/Bozen Bozen/Bolzano, 2009 Email: [email protected] This study was written for the European Academy of A second version of this work is available in German Bolzano/Bozen (EURAC; www.eurac.edu), Institute for language: Minority Rights, in the frame of the project Europe- Thomas Benedikter South Asia Exchange on Supranational (Regional) Autonomien der Welt – Eine Einführung in die Policies and Instruments for the Promotion of Human Regionalautonomien der Welt mit vergleichender Rights and the Management of Minority Issues Analyse, ATHESIA, Bozen 2007 (EURASIA-Net) (FP7). ISBN 978-88-8266-479-4 www.athesiabuch.it The first edition of this publication has been released [email protected] in India in 2007 under the title „The World‘s Working Regional Autonomies“ by ANTHEM PRESS, www. This work is dedicated to my father, Alfons Benedikter anthempress.com (born in 1918), who for most of his life gave his all for C-49 Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India autonomy and self-determination in South Tyrol. 75-76 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA, UK or PO Box 9779, London SW19 7ZG, UK 244 Madison Ave. #116, New York, NY 10016, USA Edited by Copyright © EURAC 2009 This edition is published in collaboration with the Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group GC 45, Sector 3, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700106, India.
    [Show full text]
  • Et Au Format
    o Année 2018. – N 19 S. (C.R.) ISSN 0755-544X Jeudi 8 mars 2018 SÉNAT JOURNAL OFFICIEL DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE SESSION ORDINAIRE DE 2017-2018 COMPTE RENDU INTÉGRAL Séance du mercredi 7 mars 2018 (61e jour de séance de la session) 1974 SÉNAT – SÉANCE DU 7 MARS 2018 SOMMAIRE PRÉSIDENCE DE M. PHILIPPE DALLIER Article additionnel avant l’article 1er A (p. 1990) o Secrétaires : Amendement n 9 de Mme Élisabeth Lamure. – Retrait. Mme Agnès Canayer, M. Yves Daudigny. Article 1er A (nouveau) – Adoption. (p. 1990) 1. Procès-verbal (p. 1976) Article 1er (supprimé) (p. 1990) 2. Rappel au règlement (p. 1976) Amendement no 1 rectifié de M. Franck Montaugé. – Rejet. Mme Éliane Assassi, présidente du groupe CRCE ; L’article demeure supprimé. M. Philippe Bas, président de la commission des lois ; Mme Nathalie Goulet ; M. Olivier Dussopt, secrétaire Article 1er bis (nouveau) – Adoption. (p. 1991) d’État auprès du ministre de l’action et des comptes publics ; M. Marc Daunis : M. Jean-Claude Requier, Article 1er ter (nouveau) (p. 1992) président du groupe du RDSE ; M. Philippe Bas, prési- dent de la commission des lois ; M. le président. Mme Élisabeth Lamure Suspension et reprise de la séance (p. 1978) Amendement no 10 de Mme Élisabeth Lamure. – Adoption. 3. Qualité des études d’impact des projets de loi. – Discussion d’une proposition de loi organique dans le texte de la Adoption de l’article modifié. commission (p. 1978) Article 2 (p. 1993) Discussion générale : M. Franck Montaugé M. Franck Montaugé, auteur de la proposition de loi organique Amendement no 7 de M.
    [Show full text]
  • Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit University of Hawai'i at Manoa
    COOPERATIVE NATIONAL PARK RESOURCES STUDIES UNIT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA Department of Botany 3190 Maile Way Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822 (808) 956-82 18 Technical Report 111 STUDY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ALIEN INVASIVE TREE MICONIA CALVESCENS DC. (MELASTOMATACEAE) IN THE ISLANDS OF RAIATEA AND TAHAA (SOCIETY ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA): 1992-1996. Jean-Yves Meyer "* and Jeitn-Pierre Malct 3 1 DClCgation ii la Recherche, B.P. 20981 Papecte, Tahiti, French Polynesia 2~niversityof Hawai'i at Manna, Dcl,artment of Botany, Honolulu, HI 96822, U.S.A. 3 Service du DCveloppment Rural, 2&meSectcur Agricole, B.P. 13 Uturoa, Ri~iatea, French Polynesia February 1997 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page FOREWORD 1 ABSTRACT 1 INTRODUCTION 2 A. Problems occurring in alien invasive plant management 2 B. A study case: Miconia calvescens in the Society Islands 4 C. Interests and objectives of the study 7 MATERIAL AND METHODS 8 A. The study sites : the islands of Raiatea and Tahaa 8 B. History of the introduction and extension of M. calvescens 9 C. Management strategy and control methods 10 1. Control strategy 10 2. Control methods 11 3. Human resources 12 4. Information and education 13 5. Duration 14 D. Monitoring the evolution of M. calvescens populations 14 1. Distribution maps 14 2. Permanent plots 15 3. Botanical relev6 before and after control 15 4. Population structure before control 15 5. Regeneration after control 16 6. Vegetative growth after control 16 7. Age of first reproduction 16 8. Longevity and size of the soil seed bank after control 17 RESULTS 18 A.
    [Show full text]
  • Akbar Nur Muchammad Rizal NIM 130910101045
    DigitalDigital RepositoryRepository UniversitasUniversitas JemberJember HALAMAN SAMPUL KEMENANGAN KELOMPOK ANTI KEMERDEKAAN DALAM REFERENDUM KEMERDEKAAN KALEDONIA BARU VICTORY OF ANTI INDEPENCE GROUP IN THE NEW CALEDONIA INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM SKRIPSI oleh Akbar Nur Muchammad Rizal NIM 130910101045 JURUSAN ILMU HUBUNGAN INTERNASIONAL FAKULTAS ILMU SOSIAL DAN ILMU POLITIK UNIVERSITAS JEMBER 2020 DigitalDigital RepositoryRepository UniversitasUniversitas JemberJember HALAMAN JUDUL KEMENANGAN KELOMPOK ANTI KEMERDEKAAN DALAM REFERENDUM KEMERDEKAAN KALEDONIA BARU VICTORY OF IMIGRANT GROUP IN THE NEW CALEDONIA INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM SKRIPSI Diajukan guna melengkapi tugas akhir dan memenuhi salah satu syarat untuk menyelesaikan studi pada Program Studi Ilmu Hubungan Internasional (S1) dan mencapai gelar Sarjana Sosial oleh Akbar Nur Muchammad Rizal NIM 130910101045 JURUSAN ILMU HUBUNGAN INTERNASIONAL FAKULTAS ILMU SOSIAL DAN ILMU POLITIK UNIVERSITAS JEMBER 2020 i DigitalDigital RepositoryRepository UniversitasUniversitas JemberJember ii PERSEMBAHAN Skripsi ini saya persembahkan untuk: 1. Kedua orang tua saya,. 2. Anggota keluarga, semua Guru-guruku dari TK, SD, SMP, SMA, hingga Perguruan Tinggi. Semoga ilmu yang diberikan kepada penulis menjadi manfaat dan amal yang terus dicatat olehNya. 3. Almamater Jurusan Ilmu Hubungan Internasional Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Jember. DigitalDigital RepositoryRepository UniversitasUniversitas JemberJember iii MOTTO “Bacalah dan bakarlah semangatmu menulis, jika anda kurang membaca
    [Show full text]
  • PMB French Polynesia Finding
    Pacific Manuscripts Bureau titles documenting French Polynesia Compiled 21 October 2016 Short titles and some notes only. See PMB on-line database catalogue at http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/pambu/catalogue/ for information sheets and detailed reel lists of documents microfilmed. The keywords used to search the PMB on-line database for this finding aid included French Polynesia, Tahiti Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Society and Tuamotu, Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Papa’ete and Clipperton Island. Manuscript Titles AU PMB MS 23 Title: Miscellaneous papers - letters, notebooks, articles Date(s): 1878 - 1929 (Creation) Young James Lyle Extent and medium: 1 reel; 35mm microfilm Description: James Lyle Young (1849-1929) was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and went to Australia with his parents in the mid-1850's. After working in Australia as a station hand, Young, in 1870, went to Fiji where he was associated with a cotton-planting venture at Taveuni. In 1875, he left Fiji on a trading voyage to Samoa, and from May, 1876, to October, 1881, he worked as a trader in the Marshall, Mariana and Caroline Islands. In 1882, Young went to Tahiti to become manager of the Papeete trading store of Andrew Crawford & Co., of San Francisco. In 1888, he went into business in Tahiti on his own account. He was closely associated with the Pacific Islands for the rest of his life, as managing director of S.R. Maxwell & Co., of Tahiti, and owner of Henderson and Macfarlane Ltd., of Auckland. He became recognised as an authority on the life and culture of the region. Letters, notebooks, memoranda, articles, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • New Caledonia's Independence Referendum
    New Caledonia’s independence referendum: Local and regional Denise Fisher May 2019 implications NEW CALEDONIA’S INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM: LOCAL AND REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS The Lowy Institute is an independent policy think tank. Its mandate ranges across all the dimensions of international policy debate in Australia — economic, political and strategic — and it is not limited to a particular geographic region. Its two core tasks are to: • produce distinctive research and fresh policy options for Australia’s international policy and to contribute to the wider international debate • promote discussion of Australia’s role in the world by providing an accessible and high-quality forum for discussion of Australian international relations through debates, seminars, lectures, dialogues and conferences. Lowy Institute Analyses are short papers analysing recent international trends and events and their policy implications. The views expressed in this paper are entirely the author’s own and not those of the Lowy Institute. NEW CALEDONIA’S INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM: LOCAL AND REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY After a long history of difference, including civil war, over independence, New Caledonia’s 4 November 2018 referendum began a self-determination process, but ended 30 years of stability under peace accords. Persistent ethnic division over independence revealed by this first vote may well be deepened by May 2019 local elections. Two further referendums are possible, with discussion about future governance, by 2022, amid ongoing social unease. Bitter areas of difference, which had been set aside for decades, will remain front and centre while the referendum process continues. Key strategic interests are at stake for France, whose Pacific territories add ballast to its global leadership status.
    [Show full text]
  • The Politics of Nickel in Thio, New Caledonia PIERRE-YVES LE MEUR1
    5. Conflict and Agreement: The Politics of Nickel in Thio, New Caledonia PIERRE-YVES LE MEUR1 Introduction In late July 1996, the entrances to Plateau and Camps des Sapins, the two main mines in Thio, were blockaded by the commune’s Kanak inhabitants. Blockades were also placed on the ore transfer belt in nearby Thio Mission and on a Japanese ore carrier, the Tango Gracia, which was in the process of being loaded by its Filipino crew. The stand-off between the Thio coutumiers (‘customary representatives’) and the company Société Le Nickel (SLN) lasted two weeks and culminated in a wide-ranging written agreement which, despite being local in scope, went beyond the context of work and touched on environmental and social issues, the question of the control of resources, and the redistribution of mining revenues (see Filer 1997; Bainton 2009). 1 This study was carried out as part of a research program financed by the National Centre for Technological Research, under the title ‘Nickel Politics between Local Governance and Corporate Governance: The Comparison of Mining and Industrial Development in New Caledonia’. I should like to sincerely thank Jean-Michel Sourisseau for his critical and constructive reading of an initial version of this text, and Susan Cox for translating it into English. 157 Large-Scale Mines and Local-Level Politics Thio, a commune located on the east coast of South Province, was the country’s ‘nickel capital’ for a long time, and SLN, which was established in 1880 and based in Thio during the interwar period, enjoyed a dominant position in the production and processing of nickel in New Caledonia.2 The town of Thio was also one of the focal sites of les événements (‘the events’), a period of violent clashes between 1984 and 1988 that combined elements of civil war between the Kanak separatists and New Caledonian loyalists with the Kanak decolonisation struggle, so the location and protagonists in this particular tale are not without significance.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiders from Some Pacific Islands, Part IV the Cook Islands and Niue
    Spiders from Some Pacific Islands, Part IV The Cook Islands and Niue B. J. MARPLES1 THE COOK ISLANDS are a group of small islands arately. Of the 30 species, 27 are recorded also in the region of the central South Pacific from Samoa, 15 from the Cook Islands, and 11 bounded by 8°_23° S. and 156°-16r W. They from ',' the Society Islands. Samoa is the largest are divisible into two groups, the northern land mass in this region and the one whose Cooks which are small atolls, and the southern spider fauna is best known. Fiji, to the west, Cooks which, with one exception, are volcanic has not yet been adequately explored. Of the islands. The southern Cooks are surrounded by three species recorded from Niue but not from coral formations and in some cases have been Samoa, N ephila prolixa represents the most raised so that the islands have a coral rim up easterly extension of the genus in the Pacific. to 300 ft. high. The largest island is Rarotonga, It occurs in Fiji and Tonga and was recorded with an area of some 26 sq. mi. and rising to by Koch (l871) some 90 years ago in Samoa, a height of 2,140 ft. The Society Islands, the but it has not been recorded there since. Dras­ next group to the east, lie some 600 mi. from sodes ciusi, a new r ec ord, was previously Raroronga. described from N ew Caledonia and the Loyalty The island of N iue will be considered to­ Islands far to the west.
    [Show full text]