20 Jun 2003

New Caledonia's FLNKS satisfied with Noumea accord review

9:23 am on 20 June 2003

New Caledonia's pro-independence FLNKS movement has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of this week's review of the 1998 Noumea accord with the French minister in charge of overseas territories, Brigitte Girardin.

The talks were held in Kone and attended by the three signatories of the accord that include the anti-independence RPCR Party.

An FLNKS leader says the talks have given a steadiness to the collegial government for it to accommodate the transfer of power from France.

And a spokesman says the make-up of the territory's electorate is no longer a controversial issue although no details have been reported.

The biggest party within the movement, the Caledonian Union, has criticised France for failing to change the constitution as Kanaks were promised five years ago.

They have been seeking a freeze of the electorate to prevent immigrants from France becoming a majority ahead of future key votes on New Caledonia's status.