| |
|
|
| |
Home
>
World
> Australia and South Pacific
> New Caledonia
|
History and Government
History: Discovered by Europeans in 1766, New Caledonia has been a French colony since 1853. It became a French Overseas Territory in 1946. From time to time, attempts have been made by the indigenous population to free themselves from French rule. The most serious of these was the Kanak Revolt of 1878, which was only subdued after a guerrilla campaign lasting for more than a year. In recent years, intermittent conflicts have flared up between the Melanesians and the French, reflecting the widely differing attitudes that exist towards the various plans for self-government. The majority of Kanaks (Melanesians) now support the Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (National Kanak Socialist Liberation Front, FLNKS) created in 1984 and led, until his assassination in 1989, by the charismatic Jean-Marie Tjibaou. The Front is the largest party backing independence, which remains the overriding political issue in the territory.
The French-descended settlers (caldoches) mostly back the Gaullist centre-right party, Rassemblement pour une Caledonie dans la France (Rally for Caledonia in France, RPCR), which is strongly anti-separatist. Both sides have adopted an uncompromising position on independence. In France itself, the traditional consensus between Gaullists and Socialists on colonial matters has broken down as regards New Caledonia, although both parties recognise the strategic importance of the island for nuclear testing. Tjibaou is thought to have been killed along with his deputy by former FLNKS militants, because of his acceptance of the Matignon Accord. This agreement – strongly opposed by hard-liners in both camps – had been negotiated by Tjibaou, RCPR leader Jacques Lafleur and then French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, in 1988. It allowed for the division of New Caledonia into three distinct regions, each of which would elect a Provincial Assembly to handle internal administration, until the holding of a national referendum, not later than the end of 1998, to decide the issue of independence once and for all. If a vote in favour was returned, New Caledonia might expect to become independent around 2015/2020. The Accord also allowed for the training of Kanaks (largely excluded from official posts) in public administration, a programme of economic development and various institutional reforms.
The referendum was held in November 1998 and produced a vote of 70 per cent in favour of independence. However, since then, the two main parties and the French government have been engaged in a complex and often devious political struggle, which has persuaded many Kanaks that Paris had no intention of allowing the colony to become independent. Moreover, during the 1990s, New Caledonia’s economic difficulties led to a growth of labour unrest and the assumption by local trade unions of the major role in the campaign to reform New Caledonia’s social and economic system and achieve independence. The present government, elected in May 1999, is an uneasy alliance of the RCPR (the largest party), FLNKS representatives and a handful of others.
Government: Following administrative reforms introduced after the Matignon Accord, New Caledonia is governed by three Regional Assemblies: Southern Region (32 members), Northern Region (15 members), and Loyalty Islands (seven members). Together these form a Territorial Congress, headed by the High Commissioner. The High Commissioner is advised by an eight-member ‘Consultative Committee’ selected from leading figures on the island.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
|
|
|
|
|
