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On the 24th of September 1993, the FLNKS (Front de Libération National Kanak et Socialiste) organized a national gathering which mobilized people from all over Kanaky, the French "Overseas Territory" known to most of the world by its colonial name of New Caledonia. The day happened to be the anniversary of the 1853 annexation of New Caledonia by France, whose government declared: "The uncivilized inhabitants of a country have over that country only a limited right of domination, a sort of right of occupation... A civilized power on establishing a colony in such a country, acquires a decisive power over the soil, or, in other terms, she acquires the right to extinguish the primitive title" French Minister of the Navy and Colonies to the Foreign Ministry, 1854). September 24 is traditionally marked by celebrations organized by French military and colonists and by mourning among the indigenous Kanak people. However, 1993 was different since the Kanaks used the day to gather people together, in honor of the International Year of Indigenous Peoples and the decade to eradicate colonialism, to reflect upon Kanak culture and the impact of colonialism, and the situation of oppressed people and their emancipation.
It was the first time since 1975 that so many Kanaks had come together to acknowledge their cultural and national heritage, and it was the first time that indigenous representatives from other nationsSenecas from North America, Aboriginals from Australia, Maohis from Tahiti, Melanesians from Papua New Guinea and Fijiwere present. For two days, thousands of native people attended workshops on the role of culture as an instrument of struggle and emancipation, and celebrated in dance and song. In his opening statement, the president of the FLNKS, Paul Néaoutyine, said "We, the indigenous people of Kanaky need to say `this is what we want, and this is the place that we will assign to those who wish to stay here with us.' Nothing can be decided without the indigenous people."
It is now clear that the tide of feelings for independence among the Kanak people is rising. Although the territory is enjoying a period of relative calm and prosperity, under a peace agreement known as the Matignon Accords of 1988, inequality continues to exist, and Kanak frustrations continue to grow. The right-wing settler colonists are becoming more entrenched in their position, while the French government seems unable or unwilling to prepare the country for a peaceful transition to independence. The FLNKS continues to participate in the Matignon Accords because they gave their word, although it seems likely that the other two parties to the agreement will fail to keep theirs.
The Matignon Accords were signed in Paris in 1988, following a series of violent confrontations that took place in the several preceding years, between Kanaks, the European settlers and the French military. The Accords proclaim a ten-year peace period during which the French government is expected to redress the socioeconomic disparities that exist between the Kanaks and the other communities in the territory, particularly through the promotion of training and education programs. This represents an ostensible attempt on the part of the French government to incorporate Kanaks into the territorial system, perhaps an effort to create a white-collar Kanak elite with allegiances to France. France is gambling that the ten year period will show the Kanaks the wisdom of remaining in the French Republic. Kanaks, however, are determined to use the time to build the necessary skills, expertise and infrastructure that will enable them to achieve independence in 1998.
A 1987 national French referendum established the terms of the Accords, which guarantee that even if there is a change of government in France, the principles of the Accords will have to be upheld. The most important article of the Accords is that in 1998, at the end of the ten-year period, New Caledonians will be asked to choose, through a referendum process, between becoming independent or remaining part of the French Republic. For the interim, the Accords divide the territory of New Caledonia into three provincesNorthern, Southern and the Loyalty Islands. The Kanaks now have control of the predominantly rural Northern and Islands regions, where they comprise the majority of the population. The Accords also establish, for now, the decentralization of bureaucratic structures and government services, presumably to better serve the more remote Northern and Islands provinces. In order to rebalance the Kanak regions with the predominantly white, urban Southern Province, the Northern and Islands provinces will benefit from 75% of the Territory's public investment budget. Development projects have been undertaken and a training program has been instituted for Kanak civil servants, police officers, judges, doctors, teachers, nurses, etc. The French government has also promised to promote Kanak culture and preserve Kanak heritage in New Caledonia.
But do the Matignon Accords really lead to the economic and social development necessary for full independence? It would seem that for all intents and purposes, the Southern Province, which contains 70% of New Caledonia's European and immigrant population, is benefitting the most. This province contains two thirds of the labor force, most of the management personnel, and almost all of the territory's private capital. It contains not only all of New Caledonia's current wealth, but also the principal means to reproduce and develop that wealth. The territory's capital city and political center, Nouméa, is also located in the Southern Province. According to two French officials, "The colonial system which exists (in New Caledonia) rests on socio-economic structures which permit the local bourgeoisie, with the support of the French state, to keep control of the situation to its advantage" (G. Marc and A. Ruelian, Le Monde 18 October 1989). Under the current terms, the Southern Province is assured continued privileges and economic dominance, while the Kanak people will see little change in their marginalized position.
Fourth World Bulletin • July 1994
Copyright © 1996 by the Fourth World Center
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