Transcript
WZ: Daniel Goa, who could be characterised as a moderate within the pro-independence camp, surprised many when he declared that independence is inevitable. This claim grates against the backdrop of recent opinion polls which suggest that independence will be massively rejected. He however doubled down in his speech to the party faithful by saying that the outcome of the vote won't matter. He added it will only show whether history will prove the Kanaks right that they invited others to build a new country, which they by the way want to call Kanaky New Caledonia.
DG: But the process under the Noumea Accord leading up this referendum acknowledges non-Kanaks?
WZ: The Accord is clear on who is allowed to vote. This means that apart from the indigenous Kanak population, long-term settlers and residents are all on the restricted roll for the referendum. This roll is the basis for citizenship for New Caledonians. One of the anti-independence politicians Sonia Backes has slammed Mr Goa for trying to now be deliberately divisive and accuses him of turning his back to the idea of a common destiny. This has been a catch phrase of the process but a goal hard to live up to.
DG: How so?
WZ: There appear to be several narratives being spun at the same time. While all sides value the Matignon Accords and then the Noumea Accords for bringing peace, aspirations differ. The anti-independence side hopes for a massive rejection of sovereignty so that life can essentially go on as it has been whereas on the other side, the accords were expected, or hoped, to be the path to complete decolonisation. The symbolic point where the lack of commonality can be seen is in the question of what New Caledonia's single flag should be. There has been no sign of compromise.
DG: So what will this vote then mean for the rival sides?
WZ: Anticipating a possible defeat, Daniel Goa has already determined that his side will seek another vote on the very same question in two years, and in case of a second defeat, another vote another two years later. If there is no independence, he warns, his side will negotiate with the coloniser directly. Multiple referendums are possible under the Noumea Accord but anti-independence politicians say a repeat is pointless. Philippe Gomes predicts that the door for a future outside France will have closed. A few years ago, the then president Harold Martin said Caledonians had shown to be able to agree on everything but not on the question of independence.
DG: Has there been a reaction from the French government to the latest rhetoric?
WZ: No, the French state is supposed to be impartial as the vote nears. Through the prime minister however it issued an outline of what the implications of the vote are, saying basically it will be status quo or the transfer of the remaining powers and an end to the existing funding arrangements.
