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French President Emmanuel Macron speaks in Noumea on July 26, 2023
photo: supply
France has approved sending a high-level Pacific “fact-finding mission” to New Caledonia to gather information from all parties involved in the ongoing crisis.
“We welcome the Troika’s fact-finding trip to New Caledonia ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting,” French ambassador to the Pacific Véronique Roger-Lacan told RNZ Pacific in an exclusive interview on Friday evening.
“I handed over a letter to Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa and Chairman Prime Minister Mark Brown.
“It’s a good idea. What’s important is that everyone assesses the situation together with (France).”
She said it was important to continue the dialogue.
“We reiterate that these disturbances are the work of a small group of people who are opposed to democracy, transparency and fair processes, and that the French government has restored security and is rebuilding and organizing the reconstruction of (New Caledonia).”
Forum leaders wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron last month, requesting that the Forum’s Committee of Ministers be sent to Noumea to gather information from all parties involved in the current crisis.
The confirmation comes as Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers meet in Suva at the end of this month ahead of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Summit in Tonga.
“We are a family”
Charlotte Salwai, chairperson of the Melanesian Spearhead Organization and Prime Minister of Vanuatu, supports New Caledonia’s independence through a democratic process.
“It is worrying… We decided to send a delegation to New Caledonia to negotiate with both parties,” Salwai said.
It’s been almost three months Violence breaks out On French territory, 10 people diedAnd caused tens of millions of dollars in losses to the economy.
Salwai told New Zealand’s Pacific Radio that he had long supported independence for Melanesian nations.
“We are not only members and neighbors of PIF, we are a family,” Salwai said.
“We in Vanuatu have also long supported the independence of Melanesian countries.
“We will not interfere in French politics, but politically and morally we support New Caledonia’s independence. Of course, this must be decided by them through democratic procedures such as a referendum.”
Pacific leaders hope to send a high-level Pacific delegation to Noumea before the end of the month.
More to come…
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