20 May 2017

U.N. SEMINAR IN ST. VINCENT & GRENADINES EXAMINES OBSTACLES TO DECOLONISATION OF THE REMAINING DEPENDENCIES

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves addresses opening ceremony of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation seminar which convened in the capitol city of Kingstown.  The seminar examined the conditions in the remaining seventeen non self-governing territories which have not achieved a full measure of self-government including British and U.S.-administered territories in the Caribbean; and the French and New Zealand territories in the Pacific.
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READ THE U.N. PRESS RELEASES BELOW

Speakers at Caribbean Regional Seminar Call for Effective Approaches in Fulfilling Decolonization Mandate, Urging United Nations to End Long Impasse

Secretary-General Confirms His Commitment to Decolonization Agenda in Message for Opening of Caribbean Regional Seminar



Abstentions high in French colony vote for President of the Republic


RADIO NEW ZEALAND




French Pacific territories have all voted for Emmanuel Macron to become the next French president although his winning margin in New Caledonia was slim.


Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at his campaign headquarters in Paris after the second round of the French presidential election. Photo: AFP

Turnout was low, with 53 percent of voters in French Polynesia abstaining.

In New Caledonia, more than 47 percent voted for the National Front's Marine Le Pen which was her best result outside mainland France.

She won comfortably in Noumea but fared poorly in small Kanak communities.

In Wallis and Futuna, she had her worst score outside France as close to 80 percent voted for Mr Macron.

Mr Macron won 58 percent of French Polynesia's votes, but in lost by big margins in several small islands.