Transcript
WALTER ZWEIFEL: The main point of friction revolves around Mr Macron planned visit this Saturday of the grave of the 19 Kanaks killed in the 1988 Ouvea hostage drama. For weeks, the Gossanah tribe on Ouvea has made it known that they don't want him at the tomb. There have been protests and banners against him visiting the tomb and attempts to change their mind have so far failed. The Ouvea hostage crisis was a turning point in the troubles of the 1980s because the shock of that clash brought about a truce which has lasted three decades and ultimately led to shelving the independence question until this year.
KORO VAKA'UTA: What is his position on independence?
WZ: When campaigning for the presidency last year, he spoke out for New Caledonia to stay French, saying there could be no rupture to the common history. He made that statement days before the run-off against Marine Le Pen who in the first round had won almost three times more votes than him. He did narrowly defeat her in the second round but in pockets of Noumea she had 70 percent of the votes. Now as president he is expected to be neutral between the pro- and anti-independence camp and let the electorate decide.
KV: However, Emmanuel Macron has also spoken out against colonialism?
WZ: Yes during the campaign last year when he visited Algeria, he said French colonisation was a crime against humanity. This line has been picked up by the customary Kanak Senate. It now wants him to recognise the legitimacy of the Kanak chiefly structure whose powers were taken away when France seized the island in 1853. The parallel is interesting in as far as Algeria and New Caledonia were the only two colonies designated for settlement. And as quirk of history, some French people forced out of Algeria moved to New Caledonia. Incidentally, the most influential local politician Philippe Gomes was born in Algeria.
KV: Paris has announced that Mr Macron will return the original deed with which France took possession. Why?
WZ: It's not quite clear as nobody seemed to have asked for it. Some anti-independence politicians say the time for this is not right and suggest this goes against the majority who wants to stay with France.
A pro-independence leader Roch Wamytan however said he assumes that by handing over the document he also returns New Caledonia's independence.
KV: Now there is a rally as well?
WZ: Yes it seems to go with just about all visits of top French leaders. This is an occasion for the blue-white-red crowd to take to the streets to show pride to be French. However, the small and insignificant local chapter of his En Marche party has called on the public not to join the march which has been called for midday Friday in central Noumea.
