The first visit to New Caledonia of France's new overseas minister has been overshadowed by the resignation of the territory's top French official just hours after the visit began.
Transcript
The first visit to New Caledonia of France's new overseas minister has been overshadowed by the resignation of the territory's top French official just hours after the visit began.
Jean-Jacques Brot ostensibly quit only hours after the minister gave a formal speech to the Congress in Noumea outlining the challenges in the lead-up to an independence referendum due within the next five years.
Walter Zweifel listened to the minister's speech.
SALLY ROUND: What was so controversial?
The speech by the minister, George Pau-Langevin, was in itself not controversial. The minister outlined the framework of the Noumea Accord, the need to listen to all the sides concerned to successfully conclude this decolonisation process.
What was new was the announcement that the prime minister Manuel Valls would send two experts to listen, analyse and advise. Let's listen.
Et notamment a cote du representant de l'etat qui est en charge ici... a une mission a deux personnalites bien connues aux caledoniens, Messieurs Alain Christnacht et Jean-Francois Merle. [And notably next to the state's representative in charge here...a mission of two personalities well known to New Caledonians, Alain Christnacht et Jean-Francois Merle].
The minister names the experts. Mr Christnacht and Mr Merle - both veteran officials who have dealt with the New Caledonia issue and are seen as architects of the Matignon Accords and the Noumea Accord. What the minister also says is that they will work alongside the person in charge in New Caledonia, that is Mr Brot.
SALLY ROUND: Obviously that didn't go down well?
No, Mr Brot who according to established protocol should have accompanied the minister apparently quit within hours. He was no longer seen at her side during her engagements - and it was revealed on the facebook page of a prominent politician that he had in fact resigned. Mr Brot is quoted as telling some people within earshot that he wasn't a stooge. What has to be noted is that there has been no immediate official word from Mr Brot nor the French government. Mrs Pau-Langevin regretted his action, without going into any further details.
SALLY ROUND: What about these two experts?
Well, while they are acknowledged to know the territory and its challenges, press reports suggest that some anti-independence parties find that this mission lacks balance, i.e it is skewed towards the ruling Socialists. But let's remember that they have been chosen by the prime minister Manuel Valls who is a Socialist. Mr Brot was well liked as he was outspoken and unconventional in his comments. When a few months ago it was rumoured he had been recalled, there was an outpouring of sympathy for him on social media. This time however he appears to have disagreements with Paris that he won't stay.
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