Portrayed as idyllic in tourist brochures, they in fact harbor a vociferous independence movement. Its violent edge was seen in September during the rioting that followed the first test at Mururoa Atoll. Yet peaceful resistance to colonial rule has been growing for years. In what has been denounced as unacceptable political legerdemain by Paris, each of them gains the right to vote after just three years' residency. Even so, pro-independence candidates took 20 of the 32 seats in the municipal elections of 1989.
Political life is corrupt and violent.
Assassinations are common and strikes are bloody. But still France hangs on, seemingly oblivious to the parallels between New Caledonia in the 1990s and Algeria in the 1950s. France, of course, is hardly the only power that mistreats its ethnically different subjects. The French should set a timetable for withdrawal and go - gracefully. All Rights Reserved.