NEW HEBRIDES: SOUTH SEAS PANDEMONIUM

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06757674
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2018
• Case Number: F-2017-01753
• Publication Date: June 17, 1980

Approved for Release: 2018/08/01 C06757674
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Approved for Release: 2018/08/01 C06757674
Approved for Release: 2018/08/01 C06757674
EAST ASIA REVIEW-1139.
17 June 1980
CONTENTS
NR Record
New Hebrides: South Seas Pandemonium NL 5
The secessionist movement in the New Hebrides
underscores the seemingly unbridgeable
internal divisions that fdce the South
Pacific territory as it approaches
independence as the new nation of Vanuatu.
(b)(3)
NR Record '
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R670----...�2
(b)(3)
New Hebrides: South Seas Pandemonitifil
The secessionist movement in the New Hebrides under-
scores the seemingly unbridgeable internal divisions that
face the South Pacific territory as it approaches independ-
ence as the new nation of Vanuatu.
Governed jointly by the British and the French as a
condominium for the past 74 years, the colony has separate
British and French education, judicial, postal, and police
systems, as well as two currencies. The task of creating
unified national institutions from this chaotic arrangement
is compounded by a cleavage between British-oriented and
French-oriented islanders that poses an almost insurmount-
able obstacle to fostering a sense of nationhood.
The British-French dichotomy among the islanders was
solidified last November by local elections for a govern-
ment that would lead the condominium into independence.
The landslide victory of the English speaking Vanuaaku
Party added to the concern of outnumbered French-speaking
islanders for their position after the colonial adminis-
trators departed. Although the Frerch-oriented Na Griamel
Party threatened secession of its island stronghold of
Espiritu Santo, it held off in the belief that France
would Continue to drag its feet on independence. France's
grudging agreement in late May to the 30 July independence
date set by the island assembly pushed Na Griamel--backed
by French planters--to announce on 28 May the secession
of Santo, largest in the New Hebrides chain.
Faced with a lack of police forces to quell the re-
bellion, the central government of Father Walter Lini, an
Anglican priest who will beccme Prime Minister and who
has been accused of being vaguely leftist, has attempted
to isolate Santo by cutting communications and supplies.
The British and French have moved in police and military
reinforcements but have shown indecision and lack of co-
operation in confronting the rebellion.
17 June 1980
5
-11try�T
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,
Advice and money from the Phoenix Foundation, a
free-enterprise organization of US business opportunists,
have encouraged the rebels to continue defiance. Members
of the foundation have been involved for several years in
questionable land speculation Schemes in the-New Hebrides.
They have found Na Griamel leader Jimmy Stevens, a charis-
matic individual of part European background, a willing
tool fo:r their ambition to establish a tax-free and regu-
lation-free business haven on Santo.
The French have long been uncooperative toward .Brit-
ish efforts to devise a more rational form of government
for the condominium and have been acCused of encouraging
the rebellion by both the Lini government and the local
British. administration. To counter this impression, Paris
has assured Lini of its disapproval of. the separatists
and of its intention to provide aid to the New Hebrides
after independence.
Last week the resident French commissioner flew to
Santo to persuade Stevens to negotiate. Although Stevens
reportedly agreed to talks with the Lini government and
British and French authorities, his subsequent announce-
ment that the Na Griamel Party would open an information
office in Paris suggests that he is not willing to come
to terms. A resurfacing of separatist agitation on Tanna
island--apparently unconnected to that on Santo�at the
opposite end of the archipelago further clouds the New
Hebriles' prospects of attaining independence next month.
The above article is Confi NOFORN.
17 June 1980
Approved for Release: 2018/08/01 C06757674