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NUMEA, New Caledonia.- 56.4% of the voters of New Caledonia, according to the final results, yesterday rejected independence of this French enclave in Oceania, in a referendum marked by a high turnout, 80%, the absence of major incidents and the advance of separatist theses, much higher than the polls predicted.
The consultation, agreed 30 years ago, while the territory was threatened by a civil war between Kanaks and settlers, marked a milestone in one of the most prosperous overseas territories. France, largely thanks to its large nickel reserves.
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For the separatists, defeat does not mean the end of their project, because the Nouméa agreements, signed in 1998, provide for the holding of two other referendums in the next four years.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, who had stayed out of the campaign, showed nothing but knowing the results of his "pride" for the record that he interpreted as " a proof of confidence in France, in its future and in its values ".
Avui HT #New Caledonia self-determination and democracy It seems so simple! pic.twitter.com/AyCuxUzrmR
– M.Flores-Esquivel # 1-WHERE (@mfloresesquivel) November 4, 2018
He considered that "dialogue is the only possible way" between the two great sensitivities and recalled that to encourage him, the Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, will go tomorrow to Nouméa, capital of the archipelago, to meet the different political leaders.
The French president said he understands the "disappointment" of separatists and is committed to working to guarantee "the dignity of all layers of society".
The result of the vote can be read in terms of origin and socio-economic conditions. The "no" was taxed with more advantage in the south of the country, the more prosperous and where more settlers live, while it was a minority in the north, more depressed and with a higher percentage from Kanak.
Proponents of independence felt that the result was "a new step" towards the separation of France, marked by the descent of trade unionists.
For this reason, he assured that they would require a new referendum here two yearsas allowed by the Nouméa agreements. In the trade union field, they considered that, although less important than announced, the rejection of independence was massive, while denying the breakthrough.
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