Four days of commemoration begin in New Caledonia today to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of the pro-independence leader, Jean-Marie Tjibaou.
He was killed in Ouvea by a Kanak militant opposed to the Matignon Accords which a year earlier had brought calm to the territory after violent unrest.
3,000 people are expected in his village in the territory's north for a series of events, including traditional ceremonies, music, film shows and debates.
Mr Tjibaou signed the Matignon Accords with the anti-independence leader, Jacques Lafleur, under the auspices of the French prime minister, Michel Rocard.
