At the heart of the "two flags" controversy: The French Tricolore and the Kanak pro-independence flag. Photo: PMC archive

Pacific Scoop:
Analysis – By Patrick Antoine Decloître

The French government and Parliament is tidying up perceived loose ends in the institutional and electoral systems in its two major Pacific territories – New Caledonia and French Polynesia, -where instability has been undermining economic performance.

In New Caledonia, where governments have constantly been toppled due to the resignation of one component party (which was using a provision of the Nouméa Accord promoting multiparty executive and therefore deemed as one party resigning meant the whole government was considered to have resigned), the French National Assembly (Lower House) on Thursday endorsed the final step of a revamp of the French Pacific territory’s organic law.

The changes, which the French government has recently insisted on not calling “amendments”, mean in essence that the former provision is now replaced by a new rule, introduced to strengthen stability: any newly elected government by New Caledonia’s Congress now has a minimum immunity period of 18 months before any motion of no confidence can be lodged. Read more »

French Polynesia's Oscar Temaru: Back as territorial President for the fifth time. Photo: Tahiti-Presse

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Patrick Antoine Decloitre

Pro-independence French Polynesian leader Oscar Temaru has returned to the helm of the French Pacific territory after a Legislative Assembly motion was passed at the weekend, ousting conservative Gaston Tong Sang.

A dramatic change has also happed in New Caledonia with the Congress electing veteran pro-independence politician Roch Wamytan as its new President.

Chosen by 32 of the 35 members present -boycotted by two parties – Wamytan is the first pro-independence member to make it to the territorial legislature’s top office in 34 years. Read more »

New Caledonian President Philippe Gomès (left) and Paul Néaoutyine in a debate about the future of the French Pacific territory. Photo: Maritime Books

Pacific Scoop
Report – By Patrick Antoine Decloitre

New Caledonia and France have formalised another step in the French Pacific territory’s emancipation process in signing an agreement regarding the handing over of several areas of government to local authorities.

The signing ceremony took place at the French High Commissioner’s offices between the French Representative, Yves Dassonville, on behalf of the French State, and New Caledonia’s local government President Philippe Gomès. Read more »

Pacific.Scoop
By Oceania Flash in Paris

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has signalled a new approach from Paris towards its overseas departments, countries and territories – including those in the Pacific.
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Pacific Press Release – Pacific Media Watch, 18 September 2009

6442 NATURE: 100 PHOTOS FOR PRESS FREEDOM
Foreword by Jane Goodall – the new Reporters Without Borders book: “We
must defend journalists who expose attacks on the environment”
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Pacific Press Release – Pacific Media Watch, 17 September 2009

6441 VANUATU PUBLISHER DEFENDS EDUCATION DEBATE COVERAGE

PORT VILA (Radio NZ International/Pacific Media Watch): The publisher of the Daily Post in Vanuatu says his paper did not mislead the public in debating proposed curriculum changes.
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Gérard Jodar ... whistleblowing on prison conditions. Photo: Links

Pacific.Scoop
By Pacific Media Centre

Jailed for a year for his role in leading a strike against New Caledonia’s airline, union leader Gérard Jodar has condemned the “terrible” prison conditions in Noumea’s notorious Camp Est prison.

He says the prison is heavily overcrowded and is almost full of young indigenous Kanak prisoners living in squalid conditions.
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Pacific.Scoop
By Oceania Flash in Paris

Swine flu problem in New Caledonia. Photo: Les Nouvelles

The French government is sending medical back-up teams to both New Caledonia and French Polynesia  in the wake of a series of suspected H1N1 influenza-related deaths this week.

The medical teams will comprise a dozen doctors and nurses whose main task will be to provide additional support to local medical staff.
Read more »