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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| New Caledonia votes 'non' to independence from France | New Caledonia votes 'non' to independence from France |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| The South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia has voted against independence from France in a long-awaited referendum that capped a 30-year long decolonisation process. | The South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia has voted against independence from France in a long-awaited referendum that capped a 30-year long decolonisation process. |
| Based on provisional results and with a participation rate of nearly 80%, the no vote stood at 56.9% around 1pm GMT, local TV station NC La 1ère reported on its website. | Based on provisional results and with a participation rate of nearly 80%, the no vote stood at 56.9% around 1pm GMT, local TV station NC La 1ère reported on its website. |
| “The New Caledonians have chosen to remain French ... It is a vote of confidence in the French republic, its future and its values,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech on French television. | “The New Caledonians have chosen to remain French ... It is a vote of confidence in the French republic, its future and its values,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech on French television. |
| The referendum was the first auto-determination vote to be held in a French territory since Djibouti in the Horn of Africa voted for independence in 1977. | The referendum was the first auto-determination vote to be held in a French territory since Djibouti in the Horn of Africa voted for independence in 1977. |
| Voters in the largely self-governing territory had been asked the question: “Do you want New Caledonia to gain full sovereignty and become independent?” | Voters in the largely self-governing territory had been asked the question: “Do you want New Caledonia to gain full sovereignty and become independent?” |
| Macron said he understood the disappointment of those who wanted independence, but added that the French state would ensure liberty, equality and fraternity for everyone. | Macron said he understood the disappointment of those who wanted independence, but added that the French state would ensure liberty, equality and fraternity for everyone. |
| Tensions have long run deep between pro-independence indigenous Kanaks and descendants of colonial settlers who remain loyal to Paris. | Tensions have long run deep between pro-independence indigenous Kanaks and descendants of colonial settlers who remain loyal to Paris. |
| Over the past decade, relations between the two groups have improved markedly, but the no vote outcome was well below some early polls, which could encourage nationalists to try for a new referendum in coming years. | Over the past decade, relations between the two groups have improved markedly, but the no vote outcome was well below some early polls, which could encourage nationalists to try for a new referendum in coming years. |
| During a visit to the archipelago in May, Macron acknowledged the “pains of colonisation” and saluted the “dignified” campaign for autonomy led by the Kanaks. He and his administration sought to strike a neutral tone on the vote. | During a visit to the archipelago in May, Macron acknowledged the “pains of colonisation” and saluted the “dignified” campaign for autonomy led by the Kanaks. He and his administration sought to strike a neutral tone on the vote. |
| New Caledonia's independence referendum: what you need to know | New Caledonia's independence referendum: what you need to know |
| New Caledonia’s economy is underpinned by French annual subsidies of some €1.3 billion ($US1.48 billion), nickel deposits that are estimated to represent 25% of the world’s total, and tourism. | New Caledonia’s economy is underpinned by French annual subsidies of some €1.3 billion ($US1.48 billion), nickel deposits that are estimated to represent 25% of the world’s total, and tourism. |
| It enjoys a large degree of autonomy but depends heavily on France for matters such as defence and education. Its position gives France a foothold in the Indo-Pacific region where China is expanding its presence. | It enjoys a large degree of autonomy but depends heavily on France for matters such as defence and education. Its position gives France a foothold in the Indo-Pacific region where China is expanding its presence. |
| The New Caledonia archipelago lies more than 16,700 km (10,377 miles) from France. It became a French colony in 1853. | The New Caledonia archipelago lies more than 16,700 km (10,377 miles) from France. It became a French colony in 1853. |
| Under colonial rule the Kanaks were confined to reserves and excluded from much of the island’s economy. Fighting broke out in the mid-1980s amid festering anger over poverty and poor job opportunities. | Under colonial rule the Kanaks were confined to reserves and excluded from much of the island’s economy. Fighting broke out in the mid-1980s amid festering anger over poverty and poor job opportunities. |
| A 1988 massacre in a cave on the island of Ouvéa left 19 indigenous separatists and two French soldiers dead and intensified talks on the island’s future. A 1998 deal provided for a referendum on independence to be held by the end of 2018. | A 1988 massacre in a cave on the island of Ouvéa left 19 indigenous separatists and two French soldiers dead and intensified talks on the island’s future. A 1998 deal provided for a referendum on independence to be held by the end of 2018. |
| Under the terms of that deal, in the event of a no vote, two further referendums can be held before 2022. | Under the terms of that deal, in the event of a no vote, two further referendums can be held before 2022. |
| New Caledonia | New Caledonia |
| Asia Pacific | Asia Pacific |
| France | France |
| Europe | Europe |
| Emmanuel Macron | Emmanuel Macron |
| news | news |
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