352 the contemporary pacifi c • 21:2 (2009)

Group 3, Terms of Reference. Manuscript destiny.” But politics in this small, in author’s files. multiethnic society of only a quarter Prasad, Jonathon. 2009. The Good, the million people continued to be con- Bad and the Faithful: The Response by tentious and complex, as seen in the Indian Religious Groups. In Fraenkel, municipal elections in March, ongoing Firth, and Lal 2009, 209–233. party splintering, and the approach rbf, Reserve Bank of Fiji. Quarterly of provincial elections in May 2009, Review. Suva. http://www.reservebank which will elect a Congress empow- .gov.fj ered to discuss an independence referendum. Despite a sharp drop in Vesikula, Ratu Meli, and Adi Finau Tabakaucoro. 2008. Why the sdl Party nickel prices over the year because of Needs to Change its Approach and the world economic slump, mining Its Leadership for Fiji to Go Forward. expansion continued, though the Goro Manuscript in author’s files. metal processing plant project in the South remained controversial. Labor Williams, George, Graham Leung, Anthony J Regan, and Jon Fraenkel. 2008. unions were active, but more aggres- Courts and Coups in Fiji: The 2008 High sive police interventions limited their Court Judgment in Qarase v Bainimarama. strike actions. France still provided State, Society and Governance in Melane- massive fi nancial aid to the territory— sia Discussion Paper 2008/10. Canberra: more than us$2 billion annually—and Research School of Pacific and Asian planned further France-Pacifi c sum- Studies, The Australian National Univer- mits, while also using New Caledo- sity. http://rspas.anu.edu.au/papers / nia’s new associate membership in the melanesia/discussion_papers /08_10 Pacifi c Islands Forum to help spread _williams.pdf French infl uence in the region. Since 2004, ad hoc cooperation has grown between the centrist loyalists of Avenir Ensemble (ae, Future Together) New Caledonia and the pro-independence parties. New Caledonia is gaining more Both groups support government control over its own affairs, due to intervention in social and economic negotiated accords that promised it planning more than the conserva- economic “rebalancing” and evolv- tives, who criticized the new trend as ing autonomy. Paris has continued to “socialism” or “state capitalism.” But delegate more powers of self-govern- ae leader Philippe Gomès, president ment to the country, and 2008 was a of the populous Southern Province, year to refl ect on the anniversaries of called it “economic will” to master the peacemaking Matignon-Oudinot strategic resources and labeled the Accords of 1988 and the Noumea conservative free trade vision “Ameri- Accord of 1998 (the latter of which can style ultra-liberalism” (NC, 26 Sept has come to constitute a sort of 2008). Because of the infl ated cost of interim constitution). Kanak cultural living (food prices are twice as high identity made further advances in local as in France and local housing costs institutions, as did symbols associated equal those of Paris), the ae-led Con- with the agreed pursuit of a “common gress imposed price and rent controls pol i t ical reviews • melanesia 353 last year, and this year its formula the Kanak militants who had killed limited rent increases by half, while four gendarmes and taken hostages it continued to build more affordable to protest against Pons’s proposed lodging with French aid (NC, 18 Jan, regressive statute for New Caledonia 5 July 2008). Congress has lowered (which would have reduced the pow- income taxes on the middle class as ers of Kanak-ruled provinces instead well as inheritance taxes; has pur- of promoting self-rule). Pierre Frogier chased majority ownership of Enercal of the loyalist Rassemblement pour la (New Caledonia’s primary power pro- Calédonie dans la République (rpcr) ducer and supplier); and has actively objected to what he saw as bias in the negotiated the transfer of responsibil- made-for-television fi lm and published ity for secondary education—which a letter to “young people” in the terri- France took over in 1967—back to tory in which he blamed the Front de New Caledonia. It is working on plans Libération Nationale Kanak et Social- to coordinate economic development iste (flnks) for the violence. He also among the three provinces and to argued that there were victims in both regulate the mining industry, rather camps during the 1980s “events,” than leave the latter to the “anarchic not only in Hienghene (where eleven and quasi-wild” style of the past (NC, Kanak were ambushed in 1984) and 13 Aug 2008). The South has started Ouvea (where nineteen Kanak were economic activity zones in cooperation killed). He said that the famous hand- with indigenous customary leaders to shake between loyalist Jacques Lafl eur provide jobs in tribal reserves, and its and Kanak independence leader Jean- vast Gouaro Deva ecotourism project Marie Tjibaou in 1988 constituted near Bourail has combined provincial, a moment that young people should private, and customary input in a plan emulate by reaching out to each other to develop 24,000 acres by the sea “without forgetting anything in this (NC, 8 Aug 2008). By June 2008, the past” (NC, 17 May 2008). Colloquia centrists were proposing to territorial- refl ecting on the two anniversaries ize ownership of the Société le Nickel were held in Paris and Noumea and (sln), the country’s largest mining were attended by scholars and par- company and employer. ticipants in both accords, on 26 June, From April through June various the date the 1988 Matignon Accord commemorations of the peace accords was reached. Former Premier Michel were held, including ceremonies on Rocard, who had successfully brought Ouvea to mourn the violence that Tjibaou and Lafl eur together to had taken place there in 1988. That negotiate, spoke in Paris and Noumea tragedy was portrayed in a fi lm by about his refl ections, even suggesting Mehdi Lallaoui, which was broadcast that in the post–cold war world of on television. In an interview, former increasing globalization and regional- Premier Bernard Pons called the ism, now-autonomous New Caledo- Ouvea hostage crisis and the deaths of nia “is already independent.” “The twenty-fi ve people “one of the saddest concept no longer has meaning,” he moments of my life.” Yet he defended opined, since France has ceded some actions taken by French troops against of its once-sovereign powers to the 354 the contemporary pacifi c • 21:2 (2009)

European Union (NC, 27 May 2008). to “purge” the independence ques- Yet French voters rejected the pro- tion and ensure that New Caledonia posed EU constitution in 2005, and remains “in” France. Territorial Presi- many have agitated against further dent Harold Martin proposed instead immigration. France also retains UN a consensual negotiation before 2014 Security Council veto power and has to remove “doubt” about the future its own nuclear weapons, hinting that (NC, 5 Jan, 6 June 2008). it regards the concept of independence Ever since Edgar Pisani’s futile as meaningful. proposal of independence-in-associa- Two rival visions of plausible tion in 1985, which Tjibaou regarded outcomes for New Caledonia’s “com- as a real “opening” in constructive mon destiny”—the goal set out in the dialogue, the trend among some inde- Noumea Accord in 1998 and written pendence supporters has been to speak into the French constitution the fol- of “sovereignty in association with lowing year—have emerged in recent France” as a possible compromise, but discourses as a possible referendum usually as a step toward full indepen- on independence approaches in 2014. dence. In June, Victor Tutugoro of the Metropolitan French and local loyal- flnks said he did not mind Rocard’s ists often speak of federalism, since blithe comments about the obsoles- New Caledonia’s three provinces each cence of independence, admitting (as have a signifi cant degree of autonomy Tjibaou had twenty years earlier) that and the territory itself (as an “over- countries are not completely inde- seas collectivity”) is gaining increasing pendent today, but that, nevertheless, autonomy from France. Legal scholar sovereignty “is the ability to choose Jean-Yves Faberon views this “double one’s own interdependencies.” He federalism” (internal and external) said, “The demand for independence as a “guarantee against intolerances” stops on the day it succeeds,” imply- because each province can develop ing a maximalist approach, and he in its own way, while France remains added that the flnks was prepared to an “impartial arbiter” between the go to the United Nations, the Melane- immigrant and indigenous groups. He sian Spearhead, and the Non-Aligned presented his analysis at the Paris col- Movement for support, as it had done loquium on the accords organized by in 1986 to lobby for New Caledonia Jean-Marc Regnault (TPM, June 2008). to be put back on the UN decoloni- The current French high commissioner zation list (NC, 17 June 2008). Paul (Yves Dassonville), the former premier Neaoutyine, president of the North, (Rocard), and loyalist political lead- has said, “independence is not nego- ers also tout this federal arrangement, tiable, it’s a right like breathing,” and sometimes pointing to the troubles in those who claim that globalization neighboring anglophone Melanesian has negated it are engaging in “sub- countries, and the interdependence terfuge” (Neaoutyine 2006, 94). In created by globalization, as sound response to grandiose statements at reasons to drop the “outdated” idea the Paris colloquium that New Cale- of independence. Frogier even pro- donia had already reached a state of posed holding the referendum in 2014 independence (except for the powers pol i t ical reviews • melanesia 355 reserved for France, namely military, balance in the country, both of which, public order, the courts, money, and he said, were important to “us who foreign affairs), Neaoutyine suggested want to become independent” (NC, 18 that the speakers needed to decolonize Feb 2008). Among loyalist parties, the their minds (Le Goff 2008). Even Sen- ae and rpcr competed mainly in the ator Simon Loueckhote, formerly of South, and the ae backed Jean-Pierre the rpcr, has formed his own party, Aifa’s campaign to regain Bourail Le Mouvement de la Diversité (lmd), on a platform of local development. and is studying Pacifi c cases of “free Seven lists competed in Noumea, association,” the arrangement pro- including the new Labor Party cre- posed by the United Nations in 1960 ated by the pro-independence Union as one way to end unequal colonial Syndicaliste des Travailleurs Kanak et status (NC, 9 June 2008). In a sense, Exploités (ustke), whose separatism the distinction between federalism in was lamented by the flnks, much France and association with France as Loueckhote took away votes from depends on what perspective the the rpcr. In the runoff for mayor, speaker is looking from—Europe (at Loueckhote and Sonia Lagarde of least mentally, in the case of loyalists) the ae could not agree to ally against or the Pacifi c. The former privileges the incumbent, with the result that the metropole while the latter centers Jean Lèques of the rpcr won a fi fth the country in Oceania. term. Aifa won in Bourail, but the In March 2008, local municipal ae lost Dumbea to the rpcr (pir, 18 elections mobilized political rhetoric March 2008). In the North, Neaou- again, as a kind of rehearsal for the tyine won a close race in Poindimié provincial elections in 2009. Over after a spouse-abuse conviction, but two thousand candidates competed Martin easily won again in Paita in in thirty-three communes. The flnks the South. Overall, a relative equi- tried to run on a single list supporting librium endured, as the ae and rpcr the transfer of self-governing measures each controlled six communes, though from France, though in many com- Noumea dwarfed the others in size. munes local alliances often cross the Pro-independence lists won the rest, lines of territorial parties, and some- except for some mixed council majori- times rival flnks members like Parti ties, and fi ve women (three pro-inde- de Libération Kanak (Palika) and the pendence and two loyalist) became Union Calédonienne (uc) compete. mayors (NC, 18 March 2008). In the multiethnic capital, Noumea, The other political spectacle of where most of the country’s popula- the year was growing dissension in tion and economic activity is concen- the loyalist parties, most notably in trated, the flnks joined a list with the ae, whose Gaullist members had progressives, since Kanak residents been courted by the rpcr ever since tend to vote in their home districts in the latter won both the deputy seats the North or Islands. Neaoutyine of (again) in the 2007 legislative elections Palika emphasized the transfer of pow- to the French National Assembly. In ers and the progress of the Koniambo addition, the rpcr won 40 percent of project in building greater economic the votes in the South in the com- 356 the contemporary pacifi c • 21:2 (2009) munal elections and Frogier retains though in reality neither polemical the presidency of Congress. This representation was entirely accurate, has prompted Frogier to assert that and at least part of the confl ict was the rpcr is the premier party in the over personalities. In January, Chris- country, although in reality it has only tine Gambey of Libération Kanak a fourth of the total seats in Congress. Socialiste (lks)—who was elected in The “government,” or territorial the South on the ae list in 2004, and executive chosen by Congress, has its in 2007 used a blank ballot tactic to own president, Martin of the ae. Mar- enable the flnks to gain an extra tin, however, belongs to the rpcr’s seat in the government executive (via metropolitan Gaullist ally, French proportional representation)—was President Nicolas Sarkozy’s Union abruptly fi red from the South’s pour un Mouvement Populaire (ump), tourism authority. She called it an whereas several other ae leaders, such “ambush” and blamed Gomès, the as Didier Leroux, belong to former president of the South, while Leroux French President Giscard d’Estaing’s and others defended her (NC, 30 Jan party, the Union pour la Démocratie 2008). She said the good of the coun- Français (udf). Yet Martin continued try was more important than egos, to uphold the ae’s social democratic and that the true ae was “an up-to- policies, in spite of Frogier’s call for date, contemporary, multiethnic party, more “deregulation” of the economy in the spirit of our common destiny, a and a less “socialist” reading of the party that promotes tolerance,” unlike Noumea Accord (French Socialist the rpcr (NC, 18 July 2008). In June, premiers had negotiated both peace each ae faction held a separate party accords). Martin ridiculed the quest congress. Although 12 out of 16 ae for “national” symbols in New delegates in Congress stood by Gomès, Caledonia, and criticized the transfer Leroux was elected head of the Martin of control over secondary education faction. By then, the local branch of to the territory, despite ump Premier the right-wing Front National (fn, the François Fillon’s affi rmation that such party of Jean-Marie Le Pen in France, transfers of responsibility are “the real which is virulently anti-immigrant) motor of the Noumea Accord.” Pierre had also divided into two factions, Bretegnier of the rpcr also attacked one of which formed a new party that interventions in the economy by the aimed to gather dissidents from other provincial governments as “socialist” parties into a new coalition (NC, 20 (NC, 7 Jan, 29 March, 12 Sept 2008). June, 21 June 2008). Tension grew in 2008 between two Amid this loyalist splintering, the factions of the ae, that of Martin and ae schism got nastier, as Gomès’s Leroux, and that of Gomès. Gomès group was refused offi cial permission accused Martin-Leroux of moving by Congress President Frogier to sit too close to the rpcr, while they in as a new party and thus lost access turn accused him of cooperating too to posts in the congressional commis- much with the flnks. The political sions, to the advantage of the flnks. “center” thus appeared to be torn Gomès’s ae also lost its appeals in between the country’s two rival poles, the administrative court, but it fi nally pol i t ical reviews • melanesia 357 formed a new party regardless, Calé- trict (mostly in the North and Islands donie Ensemble (Caledonia Together, provinces). The Congress elected in ce), and maneuvered for more access May 2009 will be chosen by a more to posts (NC, 8 Sept, 13 Oct 2008). restricted electorate of long-term Situated between the rpcr (13 seats) residents. The flnks hopes to sweep and the flnks/lks (18 seats), 23 the North and Islands, and for the seats were now held by seven splinter fi rst time also win seats in the South, groups, including Loueckhote’s lmd and through allying with progressives (NC, 22 July 2008). The Noumea gain a majority (NC, 22 Sept 2008; La newspaper said such diversity could be Voie du FLNKS Sept–Oct 2008). Frogier a sign of either a healthy democracy deployed a boxing analogy when he or a cancer in the loyalist camp (NC, argued that the ae had never been a 3 July 2008). Gomès claimed his new real party and had engaged in waste- party would “carry the real country,” ful government interventions in the as opposed to the Martin-Leroux ae economy: “I knocked to the mat the rump, which had “defi nitively rejoined president of Congress [then Martin] the rpcr.” He sought to build “a and the president of the Government little nation within the French nation” [then Mrs Marie-Noelle Thémereau]. on constructive dialogue, increasing Gaël Yanno [of the rpcr] sent to the self-government and socioeconomic ropes the president of the Southern progress (NC, 13 Oct 2008). Leroux, Province [still Gomès].” Accused by who belongs to the metropolitan udf, other parties of using his position as not Sarkozy’s Gaullist rump, said that Congress president to stall the passage his ae was still the same party that of reform laws, Frogier says his goal had won power in the 2004 provincial is to restore the rpcr to power, which elections: “The rpcr wants Caledonia it had held for almost twenty years in France, but without the others or before 2004, “because we must exit above the others. The independentists quickly from the logic of independen- want very much the others but with- tists against non-independentists, and out France. We want both, because purge the question of independence to radicalization is a mortal danger” build a society composed of a diverse (NC, 9 Oct 2008). While the rpcr and human community. . . . Caledonian flnks both want a referendum on society will be more and more mixed independence in 2014 (but for oppo- [métissée]” (NC,16 Oct 2008). Diverse site reasons), both ae groups oppose perhaps, but assimilated? At the it and instead support dialogue to rpcr convention, Frogier had talked reach a consensus before then to avoid dismissively of the Noumea Accord, another 1980s-style violent confl ict with its transfer of responsibilities and (NC, 10 Oct 2008). proposed Kanak “national” symbols, Meanwhile, in the 2009 provincial and accused the flnks of failing in its elections, the flnks have vowed to administration of the North because repeat the unity shown in the 2007 of divided leadership and in its duty to French legislative elections, when seek pardon for loyalist Melanesians Charles Pidjot of the uc won 45 per- who were persecuted in the 1980s (NC, cent of the ballots in the second dis- 5 Oct 2008). Victor Tutugoro of the 358 the contemporary pacifi c • 21:2 (2009) flnks argued that the Kanak uprising uc (the oldest political party in New at that time was against a dominant Caledonia and the former leader of system that had negated Kanak iden- the flnks under Tjibaou). The uc tity, even though the Kanak people saw the world fi nancial crisis as an repeatedly invited non-Kanak to join opportunity to gain local control over them in building a country (NC, 9 Oct the mining industry, since France was 2008). The lks reiterated that inclu- retrenching its budget, and to make sive, “Oceanian” view in the Islands local citizenship a reality, to protect Province: “The right of indigenous employment preferences. Pidjot even peoples does not exclude others”; they dismissed the annual accord signers also noted that the rpcr itself had committee meeting (though other uc experienced dissensions (NC, 23 Oct leaders went in his place, including 2008). former uc President Rock Wamytan), In October, pre-provincial election to protest what he saw as the changed party conventions raised the tone of role of the French State from arbiter political rhetoric. The ae of Martin- to pro-loyalist actor while allowing Leroux, which Gomès accused of Kanak and Wallisians to continue their being too close to the rpcr, instead intercommunal struggle at the bottom took offense at Frogier’s attacks of the economy. Too many meetings on the ae in October and defended and words, he complained, and not its reformist, state-guided develop- enough action on implementing the ment record. “The rpcr has not Noumea Accord’s lingering prom- changed....the reasons why we ises. In addition, increased economic created the ae in 2004 still exist,” diversifi cation along with more open Leroux noted. “We are now the only discussion within the flnks would credible rampart against the return give greater voice to the frustrated uc of the rpcr, against the return of a constituency, because Palika com- partisan movement whose aggressive- pletely excludes it from power in the ness divides New Caledonia into two North, where uc-backed clans stage blocs. We don’t have the right to allow customary protests against environ- the social advances allowed by the ae mental and other abuses by provincial to be called into question” (NC, 20 Oct mining projects (NC, 3 Nov, 1 Dec, 2008). Gomès proposed helping the 4 Dec 2008). Like the uc, however, middle class with zero interest rates Palika reiterated its demand for inde- on home purchases and touted the pendence, and the continued transfer success of his development programs of responsibilities from Paris to the in the South. Martin followed suit at local government. It also cited the the territorial level, offering afford- progress made in the Koniambo proj- able housing and progress in choosing ect and the Korean processing plant, local identity symbols (NC, 29 Oct, 3 and advocated a unifi ed electoral cam- Nov 2008). The flnks bid for unity, paign in 2009, especially in the South however, was threatened by the ongo- (NC, 7 Nov 2008; kol 21 Nov 2008), ing rivalry between Palika (which although the smaller parties in the has dominated the coalition in recent flnks seemed to want territorial party years, especially in the North) and the unity more (NC, 1 Dec 2008). pol i t ical reviews • melanesia 359

The annual meeting of the signers and employers (as long as public order of the Noumea Accord in Paris added was respected); protection of cultural more fuel to the verbal fi re, though and biological diversity; promotion of all sides nevertheless took heart from education to overcome social imbal- Sarkozy’s pledge of French support for ances; and mining projects, which are the successful completion of the con- “strategic for our country”—an echo tinuing devolution of powers to the of Gaullist thinking in the 1960s. In territory, as promised in the accord. their responses, Neaoutyine, Frogier, Some loyalists had already been disap- Martin, and Gomès expressed positive pointed by reductions in French mili- sentiments about Sarkozy’s sincer- tary presence overseas and a budget- ity but spun his speech to their own ary reform that reduces the payment liking. “We must accept our past,” of retirement pensions at “indexed” said Neaoutyine, president of the rates (almost twice the metropolitan North, “because we are in a process level) for those who move overseas, of decolonization and emancipation.” even if they had never resided in New Frogier applauded “the return of the Caledonia before retirement (NC, 11 State’s authority” as an actor, though Nov 2008). In late November, Sarkozy he later complained that not much of told a delegation of New Caledonian substance was said except for assur- mayors that France would respect ances that secondary education would both the letter and the spirit of the maintain its quality (NC, 10 Dec, 17 Noumea Accord, helping to “create Dec 2008). Martin emphasized the the conditions in which the popula- need for consensual decision making, tion will be able to freely choose its predicting that even the 2009 pro- destiny.” “Everyone has the right to vincial elections would not produce defend his convictions,” he said, “and a ruling majority in Congress (NC, 17 whatever they are, all Caledonians are Dec 2008). Palika and the uc resumed faced with the same challenge: lasting sniping at each other afterwards, but success at living together in the same Gambey organized an association to land.” He outlined fi ve goals for the pursue funding for youth (NC, 15 Dec French overseas territories: increase 2008). The Labor Party supported competitiveness, build accordable independence, with the Kanaky fl ag as housing, improve external transpor- the new national emblem. Its radical tation links, create a professional anti-colonial stance was applauded by workforce, and preserve nature while allies from France such as the Greens, promoting durable growth (NC, 29 Trotskyists, Corsicans, and Larzac Nov 2008). Two weeks later, Sarkozy peasant leader José Bové, who said repeated his attachment to the accord, the world crisis of free market capital- recognizing the legitimacy in New ism was an opportunity to refl ect on Caledonia of both the indigenous systemic economic change (NC, 17–18 Kanak and immigrant communities in Nov 2008). their dual quest for a common des- Meanwhile, the Société Minière du tiny. He said that promised transfers Sud Pacifi que (smsp, or South Pacifi c of responsibility would continue, as Mining Company), which is owned would dialogue between labor unions by the Northern Province, has a 360 the contemporary pacifi c • 21:2 (2009) us$4 billion processing plant project Koniambo project on its own, using underway at Koniambo, of which it dividends temporarily withheld from commands 51 percent of the shares the province, but the risks of multina- in partnership with Swiss Xstrata. tional mining deals became ever more Also, the smsp has just opened an ore apparent (NC, 3 Dec 2008). processing plant in South Korea, of In the South, now that unesco is which it owns 51 percent of the shares protecting the lagoon, construction of in partnership with Posco. The com- the us$3.2 billion, twice-halted Goro pany even offered to help the territory nickel processing plant was proceed- to purchase the sln, which might ing, despite the lingering environmen- be accomplished by trading locally tal issue of how to dispose of its toxic owned shares of the sln’s parent com- waste. Separating increasingly limited pany, Eramet (NC, 28 June, 30 June amounts of ore from massive amounts 2008). The smsp was preparing the of excavated soil requires poisonous site for its Koniambo plant and nearby chemicals. The Goro project direc- seaport and housing developments, tor for inco of Canada (now in fact with the help of tax breaks and fi nan- owned by the Brazilian fi rm Vale) has cial aid from France (us$260 million), insisted that the waste is too expen- revenues from selling ore to Posco in sive to evaporate, because the humid South Korea, and various bank loans climate is too moist to dry it naturally, (NC, 1 March 2008). The North also and the electrical heaters needed to do established an environmental protec- it would require too much power and tion policy, but has been impeded on create too much air pollution! (NC, several fronts: local fi rms protested 26 March 2008). The plan, contested against the hiring of transporters in protests and in the courts, was to from the South, interclan disputes lay a twenty-one-kilometer heavy raged over land claims (NC, 16 May plastic pipe, perforated only in the last 2008), and the territorial government link, from the plant out to the Havan- refused to allow nineteen Filipino nah Channel in the interim between “specialists” (cheaper than locals) to the whale and cyclone seasons of 2008 work on the site (NC, 20 Aug 2008). to allow production to start in 2009 To make matters worse, the global (NC, 25 Oct 2008). In response, Gomès fi nancial crisis reduced the price of imposed an extra tax on the pipe of nickel to us$13,450 a ton in October 1 percent of Goro’s total business, (NC, 16 Oct 2008; pir, 23 Oct 2008), and he proposed raising the country’s Koniambo investor Lehman Brothers share of royalties from 10 percent to failed and a Chinese bank pulled out 20 percent (NC, 16 Feb 2008). As for of the project, as did the construction Raphael Mapou’s association, Rhéébù fi rm that had hired the Filipinos. But Nùù, which had battled inco for six a Swiss bank soon replaced Lehman, years over environmental, economic, and the opening of the Posco pro- and customary land issues, it won cessing plant in Korea improved the the municipal election in nearby Yaté smsp’s credibility in Asia (NC, 24 Oct and erected a Kanak totem pole on a 2008). Xstrata has assured the prov- hill above the Goro site to symbolize ince that if necessary it will fi nance the continuing vigilance (NC, 15 March, pol i t ical reviews • melanesia 361

14 July 2008). In September, Rhéébù with militant strikers. The Union Nùù signed a “pact for durable devel- Syndicaliste des Ouvriers et Employés opment” with Goro Nickel, in which de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (usoenc) it promised to abide by law and order retained its number one ranking in the in return for the creation of a founda- May union elections with over 5,000 tion to fi nance local economic and supporters, as a result of its detailed educational enterprises, a consultative platform for combating the high cost customary environmental oversight of living and its preference for “social committee, and a funded reforesta- dialogue” (NC, 5 May 2008). Sylvain tion project. The association claimed, Nea’s maverick Conféderation Syndi- “We have verifi ed that there would cale des Travailleurs de la Nouvelle- be no irreversible pollution,” much to Calédonie (cstnc), often accused of the dismay of ecologists and political being allied with the rpcr against the sympathizers (NC, 27–29 Sept 2008; ae regime, mobilized long, disruptive kol 7 Oct 2008). Meanwhile, inco’s strikes in 2005 and 2006, but was permit for the nearby Prony West site more subdued this year after several (granted almost for free by the former court convictions (NC, 30 Aug 2008). Southern Province regime of Jacques The ustke, which came in second in Lafl eur) was defi nitively revoked on the labor union rankings, battled riot appeal in June, after a long legal strug- police and tear gas and threatened the gle. Gomès awarded the permit to the life of a bus company boss in January sln, despite its prediction of reduced (NC, 18 Jan 2008); called a general nickel production in 2009 due to the strike to protest against arrests; dem- global economic slump. Gomès had onstrated in May despite the use of negotiated the possibility of increasing tear gas; and called two more gen- royalties on Goro to 20 percent, and eral strikes, resulting in twenty court if the sln builds a processing plant convictions, fi nes, and prison time at Prony, the country will own 25 for some of its members (NC, 10 Sept percent of the shares, in line with his 2008). The ustke-affi liated Labor goal of increasing local control (NC, 16 Party won 6,000 votes in fourteen June, 26 Sept, 4 Dec 2008). communes in March, for a total of In the most industrialized country thirty-three elected city councilors, in Oceania, labor unions remain a despite flnks complaints of disunity powerful force in creating pressure (NC, 31 March 2008). In December, a for progress (eg, favoring local hiring, proposed “law of the country” was set a key component of creating a local before Congress to grant local citizen- citizenship). Unfortunately, they also ship (and thus employment opportuni- disrupt many people’s lives, as with ties) only to ten-year residents, unless blockades of ports and roads for an employer can prove an individual few tangible gains. Dramatic union of shorter residence has irreplaceable action has often served as a means to qualifi cations (NC, 10 Dec 2008). attract followers to the leading labor France increased its budgetary organizations, but High Commis- aid to all its overseas territories to sioner Yves Dassonville (like his boss more than us$5 billion, earmarked Sarkozy in France) has been severe especially for social spending and 362 the contemporary pacifi c • 21:2 (2009) economic development, with 40 discuss “regional integration,” and the percent of the funds to go to New International Organization of French- Caledonia (pir, 1 Oct 2008; NC, 1 Speakers (Francophonie) headed by Oct 2008). That news was welcome former President Abdou Diouf of as the territory and provinces faced Senegal sought links with the Pacifi c budget cuts due to the drop in nickel Islands Forum, now that New Caledo- prices. The resource-poor Islands nia and French Polynesia are associate Province dipped into its reserves to members (pir, 8 Oct, 14 Nov 2008). maintain services and wages, but the Gaston Tong Sang, president of French populous South and Noumea actually Polynesia, visited Noumea to try to increased their budgets for 2009 to negotiate a project of cooperation. continue internal social rebalancing However, local nationalists did not and economic expansion. The rpcr like his idea of moving in Tahitian and Leroux-ae opposed the added workers to help with New Caledonia’s expenditures, but Gomès’s ce and mining projects, so not much was elements of the fn voted to continue accomplished other than photo oppor- “durable development” (NC, 13 Dec, tunities with Martin and Frogier (NC, 20 Dec 2008). A moderate budget 21–23 Oct 2008). passed in Congress due to support France clearly desires peace in New from the Leroux- Martin ae, the rpcr, Caledonia and wants to change its the fn, and Loueckhote; Gomès’s own image in the region from what it ce and the lks voted against it, and was in the 1980s when nuclear testing the flnks abstained. Bernard Lepeu in French Polynesia and the sup- of the uc said, “The time of skinny pression of the Kanak independence cows has arrived, but the government movement drew antagonism across the continues to lower taxes” (NC, 24 Dec Pacifi c. Sarkozy is reducing the size of 2008). Fully one-fourth of New Cale- the French military, including its pres- donians are judged to be in poverty ence in New Caledonia, and reforming (NC, 11 Dec 2008), prompting Didier the costly indexation of civil servant Guenant-Jeanson of the usoenc to pensions, which has allowed retirees suggest that it was time to reform the to move to the Pacifi c territories and retail sector; he said, “We import infl a- receive almost double their money, tion,” which is at a record 3.3 percent, thus contributing to local infl ation while agriculture is neglected (NC, 5 (NC, 26 May, 17 Sept 2008). Now that Dec 2008). But in Paris, an expensive unesco has declared them a World new House of New Caledonia was Heritage site, France has also vowed opened to serve students and others to protect New Caledonia’s coral reefs, from the “Caillou” (literally, rock, partly because it wants to patrol the ie, New Caledonia) in France, and territory’s (and the French Pacifi c’s) to hold cultural events in the name large exclusive economic zone (NC, 28 of promoting a common destiny and Jan, 11 Feb 2008). French Overseas identity (NC, 24 Nov 2008). French Minister Yves Jego wants to make high commissioners and ambassadors sure that the transfer of self-governing in the Pacifi c also met in Noumea to responsibilities from Paris to Noumea pol i t ical reviews • melanesia 363

(provided for by the Noumea Accord local diploma was created to train and the organic laws of 1999) goes youth activity organizers (NC, 11 June smoothly because, he said, “Our 2008), and social policies were being France is not a race, not a land, not a developed to address the increasing skin color . . . it’s the sharing of a uni- number of squatter camps and home- versal quest for liberty, equality and, lessness in the South, with input from let’s not forget, of brotherhood. Our the Customary Senate (NC, 7 Aug, France, it’s this nation without parallel 17 Nov 2008). In December, a which has known how to enlighten Wallisian man was beaten to death the world with its brilliance and to by Kanak youths in the Place des gather into its crucible such different Cocotiers in Noumea, while a trial men and women” (NC, 30 May 2008). was underway about a fatal shooting At the Pacifi c Islands Forum in Niue in 2002 during the confl ict in St Louis in August, Martin touted the Noumea between Kanak and Wallisians, after Accord and progress made toward a which some of the latter had to be common destiny in New Caledonia evicted (pir, 8 Dec 2008; NC, 11 Oct (NC, 21 Aug 2008). Jego announced 2008). These events highlight the need that the next France-Pacifi c summit for attention to the economic under- would be held in Noumea in 2009: class in the South. “To answer globalization is to inte- In 2003, President Jacques Chi- grate the overseas territories into their rac visited New Caledonia and, on regional environment.” The French a whim, banned questions about presence was welcomed because of ethnicity from the local population “instability” in Fiji and elsewhere, said census that year, despite arguments the ambassador to Australia (NC, 30 that such data were needed to measure Aug 2008). economic disparities and rebalanc- In cultural affairs, Kanak identity ing. In 2008, an agreement was fi nally found additional recognition in the reached to allow the addition of ethnic creation of customary police who will questions in the 2009 survey (NC, 24 replace French gendarmes as state Jan, 9 Oct 2008). The current popula- agents in tribal dispute cases, thus tion is estimated at 245,000. In keep- transcribing oral palavers into writ- ing with the Noumea Accord’s provi- ten records (pir, 21 May 2008; NC, sion for creating new local identity 21 March, 23 Oct, 10 Dec 2008). symbols, a hymn and motto —“land of An academy of Kanak languages has words, land of sharing” (with the term begun to take shape, as agreed in the “words” [in French, paroles] connot- Noumea Accord, to help promote the ing oral discourse and commitment)— teaching of indigenous languages in were chosen in public contests, with schools, especially in the multiethnic bank note designs awaiting a decision South where urbanization and lan- on whether to adopt the euro. The guage loss pose a greater threat than more contentious new country name in the North and Islands (NC, 25 Feb and fl ag will have to be negotiated by 2008). To deal with rising juvenile a committee (NC, 27 June 2008). Billy delinquency and urban gangs, a new Wapotro, director of the Protestant 364 the contemporary pacifi c • 21:2 (2009)

Educational Alliance, said in June at personnel. The Australian government the ceremonial Mwâ Kâ totem pole in refused to apologize for the incident, Noumea, “Rebalancing among people calling it a cultural misunderstanding happens through the rebalancing of between Papua New Guinea’s “big thinking” (NC, 27 June 2008). man” culture and Australian norms david chappell and security procedures. This sparked public protests in Port Moresby and prompted the PNG Department of References Foreign Affairs to summon Australian Ambassador Michael Potts to explain. kol, Kanaky Online. Discussion group. http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/kanaky Diplomatic relations between the two countries were further strained in Le Goff, Christian. 2008. Accord de 2006 when the international fugitive Matignon: vingt ans après, rien n’est réglé Julian Moti was spirited out of Port à Noumea. Rue89 Web site, 28 April. Moresby to Solomon Islands in a clan- http://www.rue89.com /2008/04 / 28/ accord-de-matignon-vingt-ans-apres destine operation on a PNG Defence -rien-nest-regle-a-noumea Force aircraft. The Australian gov- ernment retaliated by banning PNG NC, Les Nouvelles-Calédoniennes. Daily. politicians from entering Australia. Noumea. http://www.lnc.nc Rudd’s trip to the country was the Neaoutyine, Paul. 2006. L’Indépendance fi rst such visit by an Australian prime au Présent: Identité Kanak et Destin minister in eleven years and was well Commun. Paris: Editions Syllepse. received by Papua New Guinea as a pir, Pacific Islands Report. rejuvenation of its relations with Aus- http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org /pireport tralia. The visit culminated with the

TPM, Tahiti-Pacifique Magazine. Monthly. two countries signing a forest carbon Papeete. partnership whereby both countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emis- La Voie du FLNKS. New coalition bulletin sions caused by deforestation and published every two months. forest degradation. Following his meeting with Sir Michael, Rudd released the “Port Moresby Declaration,” stressing Papua New Guinea Australia’s commitment to a “new era The year 2008 began on a high note of cooperation with island nations of with a state visit by Australian Prime the Pacifi c.” The twenty-point declara- Minister Kevin Rudd from 6–7 March, tion outlines Australia’s plans related heralding the dawn of a new era to economic development across the between Papua New Guinea (PNG) Pacifi c, as well as their intentions and Australia. Almost four years of to help Pacifi c Island nations make diplomatic friction had begun in 2005 progress toward the United Nation’s when Prime Minister Sir Michael Millennium Development Goals; to Somare had to go through three pursue the Pacifi c Partnerships for security checks and remove his sandals Development; to work together with at the Brisbane airport for security other countries to meet the challenges