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Mr. Terrier (France)
said that he wished to inform the Committee of the situation in New Caledonia
since the signing of the Matignon Accords, while at the same time reiterating
his delegation’s reservations about the competence of the Committee in
matters relating to New Caledonia.
During the preceding nine years, there
had been great changes in the political, economic and social situation
in New Caledonia. All the parties concerned had shown goodwill in working
towards peace and a better future in the spirit of the 1988 Matignon Accords,
in accordance with the terms of which progress had been made towards self-determination,
decentralization and redressing economic and social imbalances with a view
to preparing for the 1998 referendum. His Government was committed to development,
and regular yearly consultations were held by the Committee to Monitor
the Matignon Accords to discuss progress made and priorities for the coming
year.
On an institutional level, the mechanism
provided for by the Accords was in place, representatives from all provinces
occupied positions of responsibility and all three provinces were exercising
their full rights. In the area of the economy, the Government of France
was working to stimulate the economy and provide jobs and had signed development
contracts with all the provinces. Wide-ranging consultations were continuing
and great progress had been made in developing the infrastructure of the
island and the nickel mining industry. The development agency established
in 1995 had focused on creating a development pole in the northern province
and seeking new economic opportunities relating to fisheries, tourism and
agro-food industries. Great efforts had been made in the area of education,
especially at the secondary and professional levels, where there were growing
numbers of graduates. An agency for the development of Kanak culture had
also been created to promote local culture.
Since the signing of the Matignon Accords,
New Caledonia’s relationship with its neighbours had been transformed and
contacts at all levels had increased. The Territory and the provinces had
signed a cooperation agreement with Vanuatu and the Territory was becoming
a full partner in the region. The Territory would continue to play an increasingly
important role in the South Pacific region, and visits from regional delegations
were increasing, which was an encouraging sign of support for the Matignon
Accords. The dialogue with the signatories to the Matignon Accords would
be broadened to include all political, social and economic actors in the
Territory.
He expressed satisfaction that the
draft resolution took into account positive changes in the Territory and
the dialogue occurring therein. Once again, his delegation would not object
to the draft and would not request a recorded vote. He stressed however
that it was the opinion of his delegation that Article 73 of the Charter
did not encompass New Caledonia nor any other of his Government’s overseas
Territories or departments, and that only the administering Power had the
right to decide which Territories could be considered as non-autonomous;
no resolution of the General Assembly could modify the Charter in that
area or give the Assembly any jurisdiction. His delegation therefore remained
of the opinion that the question of New Caledonia was a question of domestic
jurisdiction as set out in Article 2, paragraph 7 of the Charter.
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