Mitterrand to Visit Caledonia

French President Francois Mitterrand announced today that he will leave Thursday for the troubled French territory of New Caledonia, where 20 people have been killed in a violent struggle over independence.

Mitterrand said the trip will be in support of “the efforts of High Commissioner Edgard Pisani” to lead the territory to independence within a year. New Caledonia, situated east of Australia, is under a state of emergency following last week’s rioting by white settlers and the death of a militant separatist leader.