20 Apr 2006

New talks planned to overcome New Caledonia nickel crisis

4:41 pm on 20 April 2006

A meeting between the New Caledonian pro-independence FLNKS movement, Kanak Rheebu Nuu activists and Goro Nickel workers is scheduled for tomorrow.

FLNKS is acting as a mediator between Rheebu Nuu and the other stakeholders after roundtable talks were unsuccessful.

Work at the Goro site has been suspended for nearly three weeks after Rheebu Nuu members wrecked 10 million US dollars of equipment.

An FLNKS spokesperson, Nicole Waia, says tomorrow's meeting is important.

"The FLNKS now would like to make sure that there is no trouble, any fighting between the workers involved in the building of Inco and Rheebu Nuu."

Ms Waia says FLNKS and Rheebu Nuu representatives are scheduled to meet representatives from the Southern province next week.

FLNKS says it is not supporting Rheebu Nuu's claims for royalty payments.

But Ms Waia says they are supporting an environmentally safe project.