There is doubt among New Caledonian leaders about a statement from the French government saying rival politicians of the anti-independence camp are prepared to overcome their differences
This comes after Pierre Frogier of the Rassemblement-UMP and Harold Martin of the Future Together Party, met in Paris under the auspices of the new secretary of state for overseas territories, Christian Estrosi.
But in Noumea, a member of the Future Together, Alain Descombels, says someone wants to force their hand and that won't be allowed.
He says the two parties have different social and economic programmes.
The secretary-general of the Rassemblement-UMP, Eric Gay, says its place within the New Caledonian institutions needs be discussed.
The party has largely lost out to the Future Together Party in the 2004 election but last month won both of New Caledonia's seats in the French assembly.
