New Caledonia's mainly Kanak USTKE union has continued its protests in Noumea as regional Pacific leaders arrive for tomorrow's summit hosted by the French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner.
In the past two days, hundreds of security forces have broken up USTKE gatherings that have in part been called to demand the release of its leader, Gerard Jodar, who was jailed in June for a year.
Police have also removed blockades at key industrial sites and used tear gas to clear areas around public buildings to ease the access for the junior minister in charge of overseas territories, Marie-Luce Penchard, as she pursues her programme of meeting local leaders and officials.
Heads of governments and senior ministers from most Pacific countries will tomorrow attend the third such French summit in six years to discuss security and environment issues.
Roch Wamytan of the anti-independence FLKNS movement says the French pottering over this summit is about to become a flop as both the French president and then the French prime minister pulled out without explanation.
The New Caledonian President, Philippe Gomes, says it's a shame for New Caledonia that neither of the two top leaders will be here.
