Invitation to commemorate GÖÖ VARE KAN – The spirit of our ancestors and the spirit of the earth...

It's been a year since the army attacked us at the Madeleine. We are still here and resistance is still ready. Today a totem pole has been placed at the location to mark the occasion.

Press release (French).

Dr Bertrand Richer de Forges, head of tropical marine biogeography publishes an open letter.

The provincial government (South Province, New Caledonia) today informed Rheebu Nuu that Roger Agnelli is not prepared to meet Rheebu Nuu during his forthcoming visit to New Caledonia. He is due to arrive on Friday.

BCI constructors, a company that officially will be on the construction site for the welding of high pressure reservoirs (but may end up pushing wheelbarrows like the other migrant workers), has been granted a waiver from work regulations to allow them to have employees working up to 60 hours a week. BCI is the 48th company to benefit from such a flout.

The commission has met only once in 2005 and twice in 2006. The committee denounces the political support of the Palika mayor of Yaté who has given free reign to the provincial government and Goro Nickel since 2002.

The appeals court has authorised Goro-Nickel to resume work. The imminent destruction of this high biodiversity "protected" zone has been ignored. The absence of environmental impact studies or construction permits has been eluded. The appeals court decision is a stark reminder of the level of trust we can have in this judicial system...Read the press release (French)

At Canala in North New Caledonia an important customary session was launched by the elders of the Goro village at which a straw was given to the traditional leaders of Canala, of the Xaracuu and Xaraguré lands and to all eight traditional regions of kanak country and on to all 300 chieftainships. Three messages are contained in this straw: the first concerns the word given and attached by traditional leaders of the whole country at the time of the planting of the taboo totem on the 12th and 13th of July 2002. This word is more than ever alive. The second concerns the new mobilisation: Rhéébù Nùù needs everyone to continue its combat; third and last concerns the 14th of July 2007 wen all the chieftainships will be invited to close the 6 anniversaries of the taboo totem.

It's a shame that the only televised news program in this overseas territory systematically broadcasts Goro-Nickel's propaganda... Read the letter

Rheebu Nuu had sought an injunction to cancel the provincial government's decree that work at the Kwé should go ahead despite the Paris court ordering Goro-Nickel to stop.
The judge today stated that there is no urgency in stopping work at the Kwé...Read the press release

Sixteen people had been arrested at a demonstration against the illegal construction of the plant in April 2006. Soldiers from Inco's barracks had attacked the protesters using armoured vehicles and helicopters and had arrested the sixteen.
The courts had acquitted most of the protesters and the prosecutor had lodged an appeal. The prosecutor had requested prison sentences for all the protesters that the soldiers had caught out of the hundreds there. The judge has thrown out the appeal but eight are condemned to pay a 100,000 franc fine for carrying weapons.
CVRD Inco will have to pay the fines since the Paris crown court has judged that they have to pay 30,000 euros per day to Rheebu Nuu for each day of work at the Kwé West area.

The crown court may have ruled that the destruction of these special forests be halted but CVRD continues its destructive work before even that these rare plants are studied. The New Caledonian government remains silent on the issue...

The Paris crown court's judgement of the 21st of november 2006 was officially communicated to Goro-Nickel on friday, and from that moment, Inco had 24 hours to obey the court's decision.
Today we notice that Goro-Nickel continues to bulldoze in the area where work has been banned by the judicial system.

The court has recognised the immediate risk of pollution to the water table and the lagoon.
The court has ordered that all new work be stopped within 48 hours. Read the judgement (French)

Sixteen protesters were in court today following an appeal against the court's july verdict. Most had been acquitted at the hearing of the 25th of July. Today the army produced pictures of someone wearing a blue, white, and red armband supposedly calling out the 3 statutory warnings before the assault. It turns out that in the photos there is grass on the ground but that the site of the demonstration, the Madeleine junction, there is no grass. Apparently these photos were taken at some other event... The defence reiterated that the Goro-nickel plant is illegal and the procedure to forcibly remove people from local communities was irregular. The court is to return its verdict on the 12th of december.

The Madeleine nature reserve is in the Plain of Lakes. Most of its plants only grow in the area and nowhere else in the world. In the last few days Inco's bulldozers have been spotted making incursions into the area.

Rheebu Nuu remobilises. Click here to read the press release

A press release was published today by Rhéébù Nùù during a press conference hosted by President André Vama and chief Rock Wamytan.

More than 500 people held a protest in the streets of Noumea to request that Inco stop construction of it's Goro-Nickel plant. The administrative court cancelled the plant's operating permit on the 12th of July 2006 and the protesters want Inco to respect the court's decision.

Protests continued today. Hundreds of protesters stayed outside Inco's offices, the only boat that takes workers to Goro-Nickel has remained moored another day, and the majority of Sodhexo's workers are on strike with the CSTNC. Construction of Inco's plant is severely impacted as there are not sufficient workers to provide food and basic services to workers and they have therefore been sent home.

Over 300 people blocked Inco's offices all day today. The protesters are asking that the Philipino workers be sent home immediately and for construction work to stop.

550 people travelled to Inco's Goro-Nickel plant today. The plant's construction had to stop as the entrance was blocked by protesters. We were able to confirm that Inco continues to build its polluting plant that does not respect environmental norms despite the court cancelling its operating permit.

The CCI's largest hall was packed for the 3 hour conference organised by the Indigenous Council for the Management of Natural Ressources (CAUGERN). Rheebu Nuu's film, The Nightmare of Goro, was screened.

From a legal point of view it's a shame that the state prosecutor is putting so many obstacles in the way of the evolution of New Caledonian law. The indigenous people are only asking for an acknowledment of their rights...

The judge acquitted five of the sixteen who were arrested at the Madeleine. The others had a suspended non custodial sentence. The judge confirmed that even in New Caledonia there is a constitutional right to a healthy environment and that the institutions do not apply this right. He finished by saying that there should be a combat. Article in the newspaperLes Nouvelles Calédoniennes (French)...

The outcome of Dji Djaru is clear: Goro Nickel's number 2 project must be stopped at all costs and negotiations on a potential third project should proceed with the institutions of the South Province and the French state.

More than 300 people turned up. In the morning the round table conferences were reported. After this report the customary chiefs and indigenous people discussed the way forward. In the afternoon tree saplings were planted at Göö Vare Kan (totem).

Following an article in the press, the committee publishes a press release "What to Rheebu Nuu and the Caugern say about a heritage fund?"

Some sympathisers came from Noumea to present themselves to the Rheebu Nuu committe and to express their support. The delegation represents a support committee that is making roots in Noumea.

Victor Ouetcho was in court this morning. The matter has been referred to an examining magistrate who will head an enquiry so the can continue in court.

The water intake pipe for the chemical plant has been sabotaged once more. Reconstruction of the pipe had only just begun since it had been destroyed in april.

A meeting was held at 4pm at "Basra", St Louis. The leaders of Yaté, St Louis and Paîta were there. Big chiefs Wamytan and Thein Hiouen participated.

A delegation from Goro village and Rheebu Nuu were accompanied by Inco technicians to the mine were last week's monster landslide took place. It is obvious that work stopped a few months ago and that the conditions of the stoppage were such that the site was not made safe. The landslide is the consequence and it is ruining the environment with each rain (ore mud runs directly into the river with each rain).

This meeting has allowed us to renew contact with the old and the population of Goro village who wished us well in our fight. The population confirmed its position against the dumping of heavy metals into the lagoon.

Raphaël MAPOU has made an official libel complaint against the "Les Nouvelles" newspaper and from 10 am to 6 pm he answered questions posed to him by the police. He has been forbidden to leave the country but from now on he will be able to move around freely again and participate in all activities consistent with the committee's two aims.

Some Noumeans were woken up by the police this morning. They were accused of "having links with Rheebu Nuu" and their houses were searched. One person contacted us to retell the experience:
"They did not have a court order so I refused to open the door. They forced the door and left with my computer after a thorough search!"

Kimenu (Charles Martial Attiti) was in court this morning to appeal against the sentence passed on him. His lawyer, Maitre Arnon, explained that it isn't Kimenu who was destroying work tools, it is Inco's bulldozers that are destroying Kimenu's means. Kimenu's actions represent legitimante defence of himself and his family. The judge will return a decition on the 16th of May 2006.

The state prosecutor had refused access to the evidence against the defendants. The defence has therefore not been able to study the case and therefore asked for the trial to be postponed and have access to the evidence. The judge acknowledged the irregularities and asked the prosecution to share its information and the trial has been postponed to the 13th of June at 9h30.
Presumably the state is embarassed that photos of armoured vehicles and helicopters chasing barefoot women holding saucepans may get into the public domain.

"Our country is not rubbish tip for smelting projects and must respect the logic of sustainable development."
Over 2000 people participated at the rallies in Noumea and Koné.

Police came to the family house of the Mapous at 6 o'clock this morning. Unlike the 4th of April search, this time they came with a court order. This time however, their computer's hard disk was seized as was their confidential correspondence with their lawyer.

Victor Ouetcho was in court today because the prosecution appealed to put him in temporary detention until his trial which will be held on the 12th of May. The appeal was rejected and he was freed. Many people came to court in his support.

The Caugern held a meeting at the Ponerihouen town hall. Many people were present, other meetings are planned in Koné and Koumac

Two lorryfulls of police came to provoke the population at the Unia bridge, site of the Rheebu Nuu base. Our supporters stayed calm.

According to experts, this represents three years of work. This work was stopped several months ago and was awaiting the restart of the factory. It's important to stress that the landslide was caused by light rains only.

A march was held at Waho monday morning. Between 150 and 200 people went to the village hall to meet the mayor.

We are pleased to bring you a message from Yaté...

FTSE have developed the FTSE4Good index to measure the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. Inco has been deleted from the list for human rights violations in the march review.

More than 3000 people have taken to the streets of Noumea this morning in support of the fight against Inco's plant in the South.

The sixteen arrested at the Madeleine will be tried in court on the 2nd of May 2006.

The police have detained sixteen people including a UK citizen who was in the area. Their rights were not explained to them. The youngest ones were not offered a lawyer and they were isolated from the rest. In a period of over 24 hous they were fed once. The Rheebu Nuu committee had to bring food to the detained to make sure they were fed.

Le garde à vue est prolongé de 24 heures.

Plusieurs véhicules et helicoptères attaquent les cabanes du carrefour de la Madeleine. Les gendarmes ne donnent pas de sommation avant l'assaut (contrairement à ce qui a été dit dans les nouvelles).
Les gendarmes démontent les cabanes.

Nous avions établie une trève avec un arret de la construction de l'usine en attendant une négotiation. Le colonel est venus voir le responsable du site de la Madeleine en nous avertissant que les travailleurs reprennent demain. Nous lui avons avertis que cela risque d'exciter nos sympathisants vus que l'on se pensait en trève. En conséquence - les responsables ne peuvent plus être responsables pour la sécurité des travailleurs allant vers l'usine.
Une quinzaine de camion de personnels armés de l'état sont arrivés a leurs encampment à coté de la Madeleine.

Une grande délégation des tribus de Païta ont passée la journée avec le Comité. Après le repas, la délégation a visité le site. Un meeting a clôturé la journée.

Tous sont bienvenues pour des brochettes de cerf, tournoi de pétanque et une danse au Pilou le soir.

Victor Ouetcho est accusé d'être responsable des blessures d'un gendarme pendant qu'il essayait d'echaper aux forces coloniales qui le poursuivait armés des fusils le 2 avril 2006

Le Comité Rhéébù Nùù a reçu la délégation du FLNKS au site de la Madeleine.

Le FLNKS a souhaité jouer les intermédiaires dans la recherche d’ouverture de négociation.

C'est ainsi qu'il a été convenu qu'en milieu de semaine prochaine, une seconde réunion devra être fixé.

Le forum permet à tous de laisser des messages et discutter.

Nous dénonçons la justice coloniale qui continue d’envoyer en prison les enfants de la Terre autochtone Kanak qui se lèvent pour défendre leur Pays et leur lagon contre la pollution chimique de Goro-Nickel. Nous exigeons que le tribunal et les forces de l’ordre de l’Etat français changent leur comportement colonialiste qui a consisté depuis trois ans à défendrent coût que coût les intérêts de la multinationale Inco.

Just after 9pm, about 20 armed police dressed like robocop entered the house of Raphaël Mapou. At that time, the house was occupied by Lisa, his eldest daughter and four children, three of whom very young. The last officer to enter the house explained to Lisa Mapou that his men had been ordered to search for and arrest Raphaël. When asked if they had an official document to prove their acts were legal, the officer replied that it was an order of the public prosecutor of the republic of france and that no court order was necessary and that if she wasn't happy she could always complain but it wouldn't achieve anything.

Nous annonçons la montée progressive dans les jours à venir, de la mobilisation pour tendre vers un blocus général du site de Goro.

Le tribunal administratif a décidé de fixer le jugement du référé déposé par l'avocat de Rhéébù Nùù au 01 février. C'est une très bonne nouvelle. Rhéébù Nùù a l'honneur de conclure(ce référé) à ce qu'il plaise à Monsieur le président du Tribunal Administratif de Nouméa juge des référés de : - prononcer la suspension de l'exécution de l'arrêté N°1769-2004/PS du 15 octobre 2004 du Président de la Province Sud.

Une trentaine de militants sont présents et distribuent des tracts devant l'immeuble entre 7h30 et 9 h 30. Thèmes: Transparence Zéro et non à la poursuite de travaux illégaux.

Cinquante à soixante personnes sont présents mais les entrepreneurs ne sont pas là. Il faut continuer à expliquer les positions de Rhéébù Nùù et convaincre. Gomes a écrit aux électeurs de yaté pour expliquer qu'il fera tout pour que soit construit l'usine de Goro. Il est à noter que la lettre écrite par Gomez au secrétaire général de R.Nùù reconnaît clairement toutes les carences et problèmes soulevés par le recours déposé au T.A. Gomes est au abois et courre dans tout les sens! Nous allons nous renseigner pour savoir s'il a le droit de saisir en tant que Président de la province tout les administrés de la commune de Yaté. Et nous allons lui faire une droit de réponse.

Rhéébù Nùù était représenté aux deux journées par une forte délégation venue en bus et en petites voitures soient plus de 100 personnes avec beaucoup de jeunes des tribus de Yaté et St Louis. Le Sénat Coutumier était également bien représenté. Les partis politiques étaient très peu représentés. Le comité ElMa a prévu un cadre d'intervention jeudi 12 après midi pour les politiques du FLNKS et un autre cadre vendredi 13 pour les coutumiers et les forces vives. Et donc il ne pouvait y avoir de contradiction d'une intervention à l'autre. Rock Wamytan signataire de l'ADN a fait une intervention sous forme de bilan de l'accord ce qui a permit de mieux éclairer l'assemblée sur la situation du combat kanak. Rhéébù Nùù et le Caugern ont parlé des préoccupations sur les mines et les usines et parlé du combat qui sont menés. Les sénateurs ont surtout évoqués les questions relatives à l'identité Kanak , au cadastre coutumier et le bilan de la mission à Paris a été évoqué. En conclusion de ses deux jours l'idée de réunir dans les 3 mois à venir les forces vives sans exclusivedu peuple Kanak, le Flnks et autres partis indépendantistes a été proposé aux autorités coutumières de Nakety/Canala et il leur reviendra de donner ou non une suite à cette proposition qui s'impose du faîte des bilans tirés ces dernières années à chaque "12 janvier" sur les tombes des leaders "Eloi et Marcel" ainsi que des autres... Un concert animé par les groupes dont DOBWè( 7ans après...) venus de tout le pays a clôturé ses deux journées.

Le CAUGERN et Rhéébù Nùù ont appuyé la mobilisation générale décrétée par l'USTKE. Le mois de décembre a été marqué par le mot d'ordre de mobilisation générale lancée par l'USTKE pour"sauver" le projet de l'usine du Nord portée par l'USTKE. Le syndicat avait décidé de porter toute la mobilisation en direction de l'Etat et ont été ciblé et fermé les subdivisions administratives les gendarmerie d'Iai et de Maré et le Haussariat de Nouméa. Cette action a duré toute une semaine entière et elle a été levée après une confirmation écrite par le Haussaire de l'engagement de l'Etat à participer dans le financement du projet de l'usine du Nord. L'action de l'Ustke aura été déterminante non pas dans le montage financier du projet ( il ne pourra être vérifié qu'après le dépôt de nouveaux dossiers auprès de Bercy en 2006) mais fondamentalement dans le positionnement de l'Etat sur le Référé devant le TGI de Paris.De l'avis de beaucoup de journaux Parisiens l'Etat a changé sa position au départ acquise à Eramet par peur des troubles à l'ordre public. Ainsi Eramet a perdu son reféré et avant le 31 décembre les titres miniers du Koniambo ont été transférés à la SMSP. Le Caugern a soutenu la mobilisation en appelant à des journées 'mines mortes" qui ont été effectives sur les principales SLN sauf Népoui. Dans le Sud Rhéébù Nùù a tenu à apporter sa solidarité. En effet comment pourrait-on bloquer tout le reste du pays et laisser les entreprises dans le sud tourner normalement. Au final ce qu'on retiendra c'est que les seules interventions des forces de l'ordre et du GIGN l'ont été durant cette mobilisation générale contre la mobilisation Rhéébù Nùù dans le Sud.

Une lettre ouverte à Philippe Gomes président de la Province Sud où nous lui reprochons son manque de transparence,le non respect de la parole donnée concernant la contre expertise cerege,l'illégalité et l'Etat de Non droit dans lequel la Province Sud laisse faire Goro nickel,les stratagèmes pour retarder le jugement par le TA du recours déposé par Rhéébù Nùù.Il lui était demandé de participer à la réunion de la dernière chance prévue pour le mercredi 11 janvier. Une lettre a été adressée au premier ministre avec copiés aux ministères concernées pour expliquer en quoi le projet Goro Nickel n'a jamais respecté les critères défines par l'Etat et pourquoi l'Etat doit retirer le bénéfice de la défiscalisation Etat au projet Goro Nickel. Une lettre au Haut Commissaire, aux provinces pour les inviter à particper à la réunion de la dernière chance. Une lettre au procureur de la république, pour expliquer que l'on est pas ici dans "un état de droit" et Rhéébù Nùù se considère une fois de plus devant ses responsabilités et dans un "état de légitime défense et de nécessité". Il a été également demandé au pouvoir judiciaire d'ouvrir une information sur la distribution par Inco d'une enveloppe annuelle (pendant trois ans)de 50 millions aux chefferies de Djubéa-Kapoume sous la houlette du grand Chef de l'ile des Pins.