The World - News from June 12, 1989

Kanak separatists and white settlers in the troubled French South Pacific territory of New Caledonia both claimed victory in regional elections aimed at giving islanders a taste of independence. The Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front won control of two of three regional assemblies with a total of 19 seats, but the RPCR (Rally for Caledonia in the Republic) party, which wants New Caledonia to remain French, won more seats overall--27 of the 54 being contested. The vote gave the Kanak party control of the poorer north of the main island and a group of smaller islands to the northeast. The RPCR will control the largest assembly, which will run the mainland’s white-dominated and wealthier southern half.