POLITICAL REVIEW. MELANESIA 373

the prospects for 1990. The govern­ turnout (averaging 60 percent) and the ment's success or otherwise in salvag­ ambiguity of the results made the out­ ing the economy will be the top story of come of the 1991 legislative elections 1990 (STY, 168, I). difficult to predict. ESAU TUZA Throughout the year, Prime Minis­ ter Walter Lini and the Vanua'aku Pati Additional informationfor this review attempted to consolidate their hold on was supplied by Peter Larmourand the republic. President Sokomanu was Murray Chapman. replaced by Fred Timakata, a high chief and member ofparliament for ABBREVIATIONS Emae Island in the Shepherds group. Timakata, an ex-Presbyterian church IB Islands Business minister and ex-minister for health, PIM Pacific Islands Monthly was the official Vanua'aku Pati candi­ PR Pacific Report date and won the election by 41 votes SS Solomon Star to 1. In contrast to Sokomanu, Tima­ STT Solomon Tok Tok kata repeatedly emphasized the nonpo­ litical and ceremonial nature ofthe presidency and pledged to promote the unity ofthe nation. The year began with the ousting of Walter Lini and the Vanua'aku Pati President Sokomanu from office fol­ might appear to have emerged stronger lowing a parliamentary vote accusing than ever from the political events of him ofgross misconduct. He was tried 1989. However, the young republic is and jailed along with the five members undergoing a deep underlying social ofthe opposition who took part in his transformation which may modify its interim government. The six men political makeup profoundly. The appealed the decision before the long-standing and pernicious rivalry supreme court and were acquitted in between the so-called francophone and April 1989. anglophone factions, which has Various elections were held during resulted in violent confrontation at the year. The opposition, a coalition of times, is on its way out. Events in 1989 the Union des Partis Moderes and the served to dispel this legacy of the Melanesian Progressive Party, won the Anglo-French condominium govern­ Port Vila municipal contest in Febru­ ment, making it appear more and more ary. The position ofmayor, currently artificial. During the crisis of1988­ occupied by Alick Noel, will remain 1989, Walter Lini gained the support of under their control for the next four various francophones, particularly cer­ years. In the regional elections of tain young intellectuals home from August 1989, victory was shared about their studies in . Conversely, the equally between the governing traditional opposition, the Union des Vanua'aku Pari and the opposition, Partis Moderes led by Maxime Carlot, with the latter showing substantial has been reinforced by the creation of progress since 1985. The low voter Barak Sope's Melanesian Progressive i$P44RJ!Q"MPMM. aw

374 THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC· FALL 1990

Party. New alliances are replacing old backed the Matignon Accord and ones and are increasingly determined called for normalization ofrelations by local political issues rather than by between the two countries. In ex­ external issues, such as relations with change, France agreed to send a charge the ex-colonial powers. Vanuatu d'affaires to Port Vila. Donald Kalpo­ appears to be slowly shedding its inher­ kas and Secretary for Foreign Affairs ited neocolonial personality and begin­ Nike Nike Vurobaravu's official visit ning to define its own political identity. to Paris in November 1989, at Michel In this vein, differences over rela­ Rocard's invitation, signaled the onset tions with France, including the New ofmore relaxed relations. Caledonian issue, have ceased to be the The happy resolution ofthis major main divisive factor in ni-Vanuatu poli­ diplomatic incident helped alleviate tics. The neutrality observed by French political instability within Vanuatu. officials during the recent crisis, and But the young island state continues to the improvement of the political situa­ be plagued by political problems. It tion in , have undoubt­ suffers from a chronic economic crisis edly prompted this development. Rela­ associated with the downturn in world tions with France are becoming a more prices for copra and the steady increase rational foreign policy issue, rather ofunemployment in Port Vila. The than a focus ofpassionate internal divi­ resource-rich island ofEspiritu Santo sion. This is the case despite a major has not recovered from its rebellion of crisis that erupted between the two a decade ago and has been unable to countries immediately after Jean-Marie recapture its role as a spearhead for Tjibaou's assassination in May 1989. economic development in the northern Radio Vanuatu, which misinterpreted islands. Walter Lini has had to make ~ Radio Australia report ofthe event, some concessions in attempting to rem­ accused France ofinstigating the edy this situation. In February 1989, he Kanak leader's murder. This state­ met for the first time with representa­ ment, echoed by Hilda Lini, the prime tives ofthe local private sector, who minister's sister, was not reversed until have been urging such consultations much later. since independence. Minister for Foreign Affairs Donald The 1989 budget was austere, with Kalpokas and Marie Lini, Walter Lini's stringent cuts affecting education and wife, met with French Prime Minister health. However, the Vanuatu police Michel Rocard while attending Jean­ force, whose loyalty to Walter Lini Marie Tjibaou's funeral in Noumea. helped uphold his government in 1988, The ensuing frank dialogue prevented although it subsequently threatened to a complete break in relations between go on strike, received an increase of the two countries. Following the ni­ approximately 20 percent over their Vanuatu delegation's return to Port 1988 allocation. Various ministries Vila, Radio Vanuatu issued a state­ were reshuffled in March 1989, with ment concerning the true circum­ the total number reduced from eleven stances ofthe assassination. Walter to ten. Lini's government later officially Not all aspects ofthe economy were POLITICAL REVIEW. MELANESIA 375 entirely negative during 1989. An Air ulation has fallen back on a traditional Vanuatu service was launched with the island lifestyle of self-sufficiency based purchase of a Boeing 727 from Austra­ on the consumption ofroot crops, an lian Airlines for A$9.7 million, funded alternative rejected by many young in part by an Australian grant ofA$6 people. This has aggravated the gulf million. An A$I.5 million campaign to between the "bush" (the outer islands) promote tourism filled previously and Port Vila, a situation which the empty hotel rooms. However, tour­ opposition has sought to take advan­ ism's ability to help solve the economic tage ofwhile actively campaigning in crisis remained to be seen. the outer islands. Other, older, cultural Seeking to reduce tensions with and geographic tensions existing neighbors as well as internationally, between various islands, as well as the Lini government has adopted an between the north and the south ofthe increasingly pragmatic foreign policy. archipelago, have re-emerged, further This trend was confirmed at the sharpening latent centrifugal tenden­ Vanua'aku Pati congress in June 1989, CIes. where the need for a policy of"con­ Although the events of1988-1989 structive engagement" was stressed. resulted in a major defeat for the Relations with Australia and New Carlot-Sope opposition, it has not lost Zealand have recently been marked by its zeal. The leaders expect to win the goodwill on all sides, reflecting the Lini 1991 parliamentary elections, provided government's new emphasis on eco­ their parties remain unified. This time nomic issues. they have chosen a legal means of In spite of these efforts, the eco­ acceding to power. nomic crisis remains severe. While the business circle ofPort Vila has hardly JOEL BONNEMAISON suffered, a large proportion of the pop- ELISE HUFFER