New Caledonia Culture

French security forces wearing flak vests and armed with automatic rifles took up positions on street corners Tuesday after French loyalists vowed to retaliate against Melanesian separatists in this troubled South Pacific island territory. " Violence ou valise ," declared conservative loyalist leader Justin Guillemard, suggesting that the loyalist majority must either meet the recent wave of separatist violence with violence or pack their bags and leave.

French security forces freed 23 French hostages in an assault on a remote jungle cave today after a 14-day drama that threw this South Pacific island territory into one of its worst political crises, government officials announced here.

French security forces freed 23 French hostages in an assault on a remote jungle cave today after a 14-day drama that threw this South Pacific island territory into one of its worst political crises, government officials announced here.

French security forces wearing flak vests and armed with automatic rifles took up positions on street corners Tuesday after French loyalists vowed to retaliate against Melanesian separatists in this troubled South Pacific island territory. " Violence ou valise ," declared conservative loyalist leader Justin Guillemard, suggesting that the loyalist majority must either meet the recent wave of separatist violence with violence or pack their bags and leave.

For the past 11 days and nights, the young Melanesian rebel leader holding 23 French hostages in a cave has not let go of his ax. It is the same ax, French authorities say, that was used to hack three French gendarmes to death when the hostages were seized. Of that, authorities say they are certain, because the young Melanesian has refused to wipe the gendarmes' blood from the ax blade. The blood apparently serves as inspiration for the kidnapers, who the French charge have "the madness of God."

A group of New Caledonians has an unusual solution for the political future of this French overseas territory where Melanesians are agitating for independence: They would make it America's 51st state. The statehood idea is being pushed, only half in jest, by the American Assn., an informal coalition of about 10,000 people, most of them French settlers who remember fondly the massive presence of U.S. servicemen in the South Pacific during World War II.

For the past 11 days and nights, the young Melanesian rebel leader holding 23 French hostages in a cave has not let go of his ax. It is the same ax, French authorities say, that was used to hack three French gendarmes to death when the hostages were seized. Of that, authorities say they are certain, because the young Melanesian has refused to wipe the gendarmes' blood from the ax blade. The blood apparently serves as inspiration for the kidnapers, who the French charge have "the madness of God."

A group of New Caledonians has an unusual solution for the political future of this French overseas territory where Melanesians are agitating for independence: They would make it America's 51st state. The statehood idea is being pushed, only half in jest, by the American Assn., an informal coalition of about 10,000 people, most of them French settlers who remember fondly the massive presence of U.S. servicemen in the South Pacific during World War II.