Thousands Defy Ban in New Caledonia, March in Capital as Mitterrand Arrives

Thousands of people who want New Caledonia to remain a French territory defied a government ban and marched through downtown Noumea today as French President Francois Mitterrand arrived for a 12-hour visit.

Mitterrand was flown from the airport by helicopter to the building of the High Commission, the headquarters of the French government on this South Pacific island that has been torn by clashes between groups for and against independence.

More than 3,000 French soldiers and riot police surrounded the High Commission and blocked off all streets leading to the building as columns of anti-independence marchers paraded through the capital.

They had begun gathering in the city center at dawn to demonstrate their strength to Mitterrand.

Carrying French Flags

The marchers, including women and children, carried French flags as they marched along the streets beside buildings that had the French tricolor flying from virtually every window.

When Mitterrand’s helicopter landed at the High Commission compound, throngs surged against the police lines, shouting for French rule and calling on Mitterrand to meet them.

“Mitterrand in the street! Mitterrand in the street!” the people chanted before singing a chorus of the French national anthem.

There was heavy security for Mitterrand’s visit. Squads of soldiers and police armed with rifles, tear gas, shields and clubs were stationed in side streets, while armored cars and French marines and paratroopers were posted around the High Commission building.

The demonstrators were defying a state-of-emergency decree that bans any political gatherings of more than five people, but police made no attempt to disperse the marchers.

Many demonstrators carried banners accusing Mitterrand of treason. One huge poster read “Do Not Abandon Us!”

Mitterrand began a series of talks with members of the territorial assembly and political, religious and labor leaders before an afternoon tour of some of the areas that have been shaken by violence.

The French president, who announced Wednesday that he would fly to New Caledonia in an effort to resolve the independence conflict, left Paris on Thursday night for the 12,500-mile trip.

The Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front, which claims to represent most of the native Melanesians, or Kanaks, is demanding independence. Most of the Europeans, Polynesians and Asians who make up 57% of the island’s population oppose independence.

Nineteen people have been killed in fighting since mid-November. Scores of homes and farms owned by people of European descent have been burned, and hundreds of Europeans have fled the interior of the 250-mile-long island.

Kanak Not Optimistic

Liberation Front leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou told a news conference that he is willing to meet with Mitterrand, although no invitation had yet been extended and French officials refused to say whether Mitterrand will meet with independence leaders. However, Tjibaou was not optimistic that Mitterrand would be able to solve the island’s problems.

Mitterrand said he flew here to show support for High Commissioner Edgard Pisani, who has been trying to find a political solution to the islands’ problems.

Pisani has proposed giving independence to New Caledonia under a plan in which France would continue to control defense and internal security.

Mitterrand announced his plan to visit New Caledonia after two days of rioting by people opposed to independence, and the deaths of two independence leaders in a clash with French security forces.

A 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew has been in effect.

“We will take no chances,” said a French military official who spoke on condition he not be named.

France has sent about 6,300 soldiers, paramilitary police, riot police, paratroopers and marines to New Caledonia. The soldiers and police are backed up by two visiting French warships, including the helicopter carrier Jeanne d’Arc.