PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, LE SURF HOTEL, NOUMEA
28 JULY 1990
V OE PROOF ONLY
Pm: Perhaps if I could just make a brief statement and
then be available for your questions.
I've had the opportunity last night and this morning to
have extensive discussions with a range of
representatives here in New Caledonia and I want, at the
outset, to express my gratitude f or the opportunity
that's been given and the frankness of the views that
have been put to me. I must say that I've come away from
those discussions with a great sense of confidence about
the future of New Caledonia.
The discussions I've had have been with the Minister,
Monsieur Le Pensec, with Mr Jacques Le Lafleur and Mr
Simon Loueckhote, with Mr Paul Neaoutyine and with Mr
Leopold Joredie and Mr Richard Kalci. As you will see
from that that covers the range of those involved as well
as, of course, with the Mayor of Noumea. So I have
spoken with the representatives of the French Government
of RPCR and of the FLNKS.
From these discussions I find a deep sense of commitment
on the part of all those involved to making sure that the
processes provided by the Mat ignon Accord are
constructive and that they should lead to a situation
where there is a maximisation of the chances of a
peaceful resolution of the conflict which prior to 1988
had racked this country.
Most particularly there is an understanding of the need
to ensure the maximum training of the Kanak population to
ensure that they have an increased capacity to assume
positions of responsibility in this country in the ranges
of areas administrative, professional, technical.
Australia has been pleased to offer its cooperation in
this process and it is a matter of pride for us that we
have now a number of people from New Caledonia undergoing
training programs in Australia and I took this
opportunity of reassuring all people with whom I spoke of
the continuing commitment of Australia to assist in these
processes.
2
I also indicated in these discussions the commitment of
Australia to increasing the relationships between our two
countries and I believe as a result of my visit that we
will see a significant improvement in this respect.
. JL WM alow J= preaaod by the v-mninlent of all those to
whom I spoke to not only improve the relationship with'
Australia but also importantly to see New Caledonia
playing an important role in this region.
I repeat again in conclusion of these opening remarks the,
great pleasure that I've had in the warmth of the
wulcome, tho conatructivp nature Qf the discussions that
I've been able to have with this great cross-section ot
representatives of the New Caledonian community and to
* 2cpreoo once again th commitment of Australia to playing
a constructive part in the processes that are underway Iii
this country.
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, you touched on it in your opening
etatement. Row important is it to you as Australian
Prime JNinister that the whole independence confliuL, iLr
whatever you like to call it, is resolved peacefully and
in the best way possible?
PM: It's fundamentally important for two reasons.
Firstly of course for the welfare of the people of New
Caledonia. Really the people of New Caledonia by now as
we go into 1990 have the opportunity of seeing two
alternative avenues of resolution of conflict being
followed. That is the pre-Matignon Accord which was
characterised by conflict, bloodshed, death on the one
hand, against that process which has been followed since
1988 in which there has now been created a process
whereby the fundamentals of creating the new relationship
are being followed. These fundamentals have been
reflected in these ways. The creation of a new
administrative political structure. Secondly, the
commitment to the rapid training of a large number of
Kanakcs who are going to be able to take their place in
New Caledonia. And thirdly, the creation of a better
balance in the capacity to participate in the political,
administrative and economic life of this country. Under
this process there is, it seems-to me, a growing
% xAmituent on the part ri? all those concerned to see a
peaceful evolution to the point where in 1998 the
decision in regard to the determination of the future of
this country can be made. Now-having said that and
having said that they are able themselves to see the
rolative hpnpf its of this new process, I am under no
illusion that there is an identity of view about Lhu end
of that process. I understand that the RPCR adhere to
their view about the future status of this country just
as much as I understand that the FLNKS see the Matignon
Accords as a process and a means to the end of achieving
independence. It is my hope and of course let me preface
what I have to say by the observation that the decisions
to be made are for the people of New Caledonia and not
f or Australia or for anyone else. Making that preface I
express the hope that in the eight years that remain
before 1998 that the experience of working together
politically, and in a sense perhaps even more importantly
economically, may lead to the possibility of the
emergenCA Of some consensus by 1998 as to the most
appropriate decision to be made at the time. But
clearly, if I could summarise that answer, the people of
this country, as I say, have now had the opportunity of
RAeing the alternative method of process that is strife
and conflict, or cooperarion. As~ a i's aura they
understand that overwhelmingly the latter is the way to
go. JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, did any of the parties you met
with today ask Australia to play a specific role in
helping to solve the problems here?
PM4: No. I think there's a very very mature
uiideisanding betw. e,, us that is between the two
Governments, and between ourselves and the RYCH, anSI
between ourselves and the FLNKS. Let me preface what
will be a much briefer answer not that I if I could
talk for three hours and she'd get it all. I want to
nI~ kA it Quite clear the profound respect that I and my
Government have f or the GovernmenL uf Franceo and the way
Lawy have handled * theRP things. I think we all owe a
great debt of gratitude to the imagination and the
commitment of resources and time and energy that the
Government of France has made. We have a relationship
with them which I think is ideal in that we have made the
offer to assist in any way that we can. We think most
particularly the way in which we can help is by the offer
of training opportunities in Australia. That has been
welcomed and I have said that if there is any more that
they think that we can do then we are prepared to do
that. They have welcomed it. As far as the two major
groupings are concerned, I think they also understand a)
the commituwzat of mycolf and my ; overnment to assist in
the process in any way that they think that we can and
if, as a result of my visit and discussions, they come to
the conclusion that there are some other ways in which we
can be of assistance, well we stand ready to do that.
But we understand that these things must be worked out
within this country. If there are other things like
training that we can do well then we stand ready to help.
But they haven't asked specifically for any other forms
of assistance. one matter that did arise I might say,
that was raised by representatives of the FLNKS, was the
question uC Lhe recognition h~ rP of Qualifications in
Australia. So I raised that issue afterwards with tfle
Minister and it is agreed that this is something that
must be looked at. Because there is not going to be much
point if we use a great deal of resources for training
and as a result of that some of the qualifications in
Australia that result from that training are not here
recognised. So there is an agreement now that we will
study that matter and try and resolve that issue.
4
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, many of the Pacific Island
nations appear likely at the Forum to oppose the
incineration of chemical weapons at Johnston Island.
Will Australia try and persuade them of the American view
that this is safe and
PM: I don't want to pre-empt by anything I say here the
discussions I have with my colleagues at the Forum. I
don't tnink Lhat would hnt appropriate. But I don't want
to avoid your question entirely. I mean wu have had, nir
scientif ic experts have a very careful and detailed
examination mado-of thi~ s issue. I understand the concern
of some of the Pacific island countries that I understand
will be expressed at the Forum. I think as a result of
the discussions that we will be able to have there that
we may be able to reach a consensus. I hope so. But
other than that I don't want to pre-empt the discussion I
have there. It would not be, it wouldn't be courteous to
my colleagues at the Forum.
JC3UXdNiLIST,. Mr Hawke, did you urge tho RP~ fl to wend a
representative to the South Paciric Po~ tum?
PM: What I said there was this, That I believed that
first of all as the constitution of the Forum stands that
there was no provision really for observer status. But
having said that, I made the point that I thought it
would useful if my fellow leaders at the Forum had the
opportunity of discussion with-leaders from here about
developments in New Caledonia. So that I had the view
that just as it would be useful for representatives for
the FLNKS to be there and perhaps over a meal to meet
with the leaders, so I thought it would abe useful if
representatives of the RPca were to do that. Let me add'
to that that I understand that no specific invitation has
been issued to either the FLNKS or the RPCR. It is a
matter for decision by the Minister whether they are
there at the time of the Forum. I merely expressed the
belief that if they are there then the Forum would take
the opportunity in the sort of context that I referred to
to have discussions with them.
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, two questions.
PM: Two, yes.
JOURNALIST: Sarah Walls.
PM: What?
JOURNALIST: Were you after my name? The question, given
. that
PH4: Sorry, I thought you were nominating a subject and I
was lost.
JOURNALIST: I was just wondering, given that you haven't
met the man who succeeded Mr Tjibaou as leader of New
Caledonia's largest pro-independence party, Mr Francois
BurcIC and given that members of the FLNKS seem to have
stayed away from social functions during this visit, I
wonder whether you consider it a complete success from
Australia's point of view? That's the first question.
The second question io that lact night in y'tr qp~ n you
praised the Matignon Accords as a process for a peaceful
transition to genuine self-determination and viable longterm
provisional status. Mr Le Pensec said in his speech
that the aspirations that each of the communities should
be reconciled, had to be reconciled through the
recognition of equal dignity, irreducible identity and
their right to social access to social and economic
responsibilities. Itm wondering whether you feel that
Australia and France have the same view of what the
outcome of the Matignon Accords will be?
PM: Well as to the first question, I have met with all
those with whom arrangements have been made for me to
meet. I don't know the background to the organisation
but I must say in regard to those with whom I have met
who seem to me to have the capacity to speak for their
respective constituencies, that I've found that most
useful. As to the second question, I believe that the
position of France and Australia is that the process is
to provide a period up to 1998 when essential problems
connected with the development of New Caledonia can be
addressed so that when the tine comes in 1998 for the
decision to be taken that the country is going to be in
the best possible condition to make that decision work.
I'think that both as I said in my speech today at
lunchtime I said it is not for Australia to say what
the outcome of the decision in 1998 will be. It's not
for Australia to say. That is a matter for the people of
New Caledonia to make that decision. T believe that that.
view that I expressed on behalf of Australia is the view
of the French Government.
JOURNALIST: So it doesn't disturb you that you haven't
met Mr Burok and that the FLNKS appears to have
stayed away?
PM: Well, you have a look at me. I don't appear
disturbed I hope, because I can assure you that I'm not
disturbed. I operate on the basis that I try and meet
with as many people who can, but overwhelmingly operate
on the basis I meet with those who want to meet with me.
TL': s zauL vcz. y wim.-tivy and pursue in lifo coma othor
philosophy. I've been very satisfied with the
dioounnione I have had with the pionplip whn hAuVA wantpd to
meet with me.
JOURNALIST: Back to Johnston Island for the moment
Johnston Atoll can you briefly summarise what the
scientific report says?
3TLL. r-Irlem
PH4 I could but I won't for the reasons I put before.
It's most appropriate that I talk about those matters in
the first instann Wit MY I-leafyt1d at the Forum.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you'll be no doubt seeing
Ratu Mara tomorrow at the Retreat in Vila. will you be
personally expressing to him Australia's unhappiness with
the new constitution's lack of with the precondition
that should be acceptable for main group
PH: I've got essentially the same answer as I've just
given. I have views asbout the constiuton ' 11 be
conveying those to Ratu Mara. But I don't think it's
courteous that I do that in advance of meeting him.
JOURNALIST: Did you raise the question of French nuclear
testing today? If so. with who? Do you ever get the
feeling that you're wasting your time with
PH: I raised it last night at the first opportunity
publicly. I made the point clear. I've done it before
With my fripir mirchel Rocard, the Primo minictor and I
did it last night. There's no point in doing it again.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you made the point yesterday
that Australia would like greater access for Australian
goods in New Caledonia and you referred to artificial
barriers against Australian access to the markets. Have
you been given any indi%:; Luaam LheaL UlaaL'z the likely
outcome
PM: I've raised that matter and in terms that would be
very well Understood by my dear friends in the Australian
press contingent, I said that when I came back from the
function last night and my colleagues came up to the room
with me, I said have a beer. They opened the fridge and
they got out a Fosters can. But this was a can of
Fosters which had come from London. I said to Monsiour
Le Perisec, I said you were a professor of economics, I
was a tutor of economics, I said as fellow economists we
must know that it is uneconomic to consume Posters beer
in New Caledonia via London. That it is much more
economic that you import the stuff I believe it's still
very good directly from Australia. And not only the
beer but the wine and dairy products. So I made the
point in a rational sense as one economist to another and
I think the point was well received. I hope that it will
be followed up.
PM: And may I just say finally before I go, in case I am
misrepresented as having come here as an agent of John
Elliott-INTERPRETER: PM: In case I am represented as coming here as an agent
of John Elliott, that what I say of Fosters is true of
XXXX or whatever.
7
PM: there are in Australia some association that has
given some militant active help to the FLANKS in the
previous year. What position of your Government
towards P! I'm not sure of the organisation I'm not aware
of what organisations you refer to but let me make this
quite definite point. As far as my Government is
concerned, the processes which should be followed in this
country are the peaceful processes of negotiation and of
political and economic co-operation. As far as we are
concerned, any organisation which was seeking in any way
to subvert those processes would receive the most severe
condemnation as far as the Government was concerned.
ends