20 Sep 2002

France does a U-turn on requests for UNESCEO protection of New Caledonia's reef

10:43 am on 20 September 2002

Environmental organisations have expressed shock over plans by the French government to withdraw its request to list New Caledonia's reef as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

PINA reports that the French Environment Minister, Roseline Bachelot, says France would instead work with international mining giants, including Canada's Inco, to ensure environmental protection for New Caledonia's reef.

Environmentalists are calling on France to reconsider its decision as New Caledonia has the second largest reef system in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Ms Bachelot's announcement comes after a visit to France by a New Caledonian leader, Jacques Lafleur, who, according to sources in Paris, was lobbying for support to allow the mine venture to go ahead.

UNESCO officials say they have not yet received notice from the French govenrment of any change in the status of the nomination.