Jean Castex on Wednesday refuted any "indifference" of the executive vis-à-vis the future of New Caledonia, which will be the subject of a referendum on December 12, stressing the "strong wish that the choice of Caledonians is that of France ”. "Contrary to what you say, we are very far from the indifference that you thought you detected", replied the Prime Minister to the senator (LR) of New Caledonia Pierre Frogier, who castigated "the dogma of the neutrality of the 'State' and 'general indifference' reigning around the future of the archipelago. Mr. Castex thus underlined that the government had “reaffirmed” again this year the “strong wish that the choice of the Caledonians be that of France”, on the occasion of the referendum on the independence of December 12th.
Read also New Caledonia: "Is France going to disengage from Overseas?"
"We have reaffirmed more than ever France's strategy in the Indo-Pacific, regardless of the completely questionable decisions of the Australian government", which had brutally put an end to a mega-contract for submarines with Paris, Mr. Castex added.
The head of government also argued that the metropolis was "permanently showing our full solidarity with New Caledonia hit by the Covid", by sending reinforcements.
To read also François d'Orcival: "The referendum in Caledonia, hostage of the USA in the Pacific"
In this context, even if "the situation is improving" and "the vaccination is progressing", "5 additional beds" in intensive care will soon be opened thanks to "the sending of a detachment of the army health service", announced Mr. Castex.
The virulence of the epidemic, which has killed 243 people since the beginning of September, also disturbs the organization of the third and last referendum on the independence of the Nouméa Accord (1998): the separatists thus asked last Saturday to Overseas Minister Sébastien Lecornu to postpone the election, when the loyalists advocate its retention.