The first half of the year proved rather stormy in the Caribbean Sea, starting with weeks of unprecedented general strikes on the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. In June, French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a two-day trip to the French West Indies, aimed at easing social tensions by meeting with representatives from both islands.
The strikes and social unrest are happening in the context of readjustments that have already begun on several of France’s overseas territories.
In Martinique, the people will be allowed to decide whether they will continue as part and parcel of the French Republic or become a territory with autonomy, as provided for in Art.74 of the French constitution.
In French Guyana, a bill on changing the country’s status within the French Republic was adopted by the island’s assembly with a large majority on Sept. 2.
Elected officials are asking to postpone the 2010 regional elections to hold their own referendum.
The fate of the islands depends on the outcome of the dialogue between the French government, the people, and their elected representatives in these faraway lands.
Sarkozy kicked off his visit in Martinique's capital of Fort-de-France by paying his respects to French West Indies dissidents who had risked their lives to join “Free France” during World War II.
He awarded posthumous honors to those men for outstanding courage, commenting that it would be out of the question for the Republic to forget such heroes.
Sarkozy met at the airport with an assemblage of elected officials and social representatives seeking answers to questions on the change of political status, lower prices, trade barriers, health care issues, areas of economic activity and about their relations with neighboring islands.
This was all part of the local and national level consultation process organized by the French government to identify areas of improvement for overseas territories.
The large unions refused to participate in the event, showing that there remains some distance between the local populations and the politicians in the metropole.
Trust and Responsibility
Sarkozy especially highlighted the idea of trust, stating, “If I had one thing to ask you, it would be to trust in yourselves. I want you to trust in the [French] State as well, even if the history of Martinique and the State is marked by many disappointments.
Finally, he said, “I want you to have confidence in my personal involvement. I want to succeed. You can count on me being there for you.”
The following day, at the inauguration of the Aime Cesaire Airport, named after the local poet and humanist, the president said that, “The Republic is paying tribute to one of its greatest figures. We pay homage to the man who changed the way French West Indians see themselves, the way black people see themselves.”
Sarkozy also expressed his vision for the eventual change of Martinique’s institutions. “I came today to tell you clearly that I intend to consult the people of Martinique on their territory’s institutional evolution as the Constitution allows … The people of Martinique will be free to choose in all conscience as they wish. A wide debate must be organized in which all can participate.”
He made it clear that he has always been open to the question of institutional change. Nevertheless, he indicated that, “The debate to which we are referring is not that of independence. It is not about surreptitiously organizing some kind of casting off of the Republic. The Martinique is French, it will remain French, first because its inhabitants wish so, and also because France wishes so.”
“The debate which is open is that of the right amount of autonomy, that of responsibility, and that of the equation unity-uniqueness,” said Sarkozy.
He later said that the special status the territories currently have under the European Union would not be affected.
Martinique Officials Respond
The officials on the ground in Martinque heard Sarkozy’s message loud and clear.
“The president clearly talked about a process, and that’s exactly what we are asking for,” Serge Letchimy said, mayor of Fort-de-France, according to a report in France-Antilles.
He talked of needing to start a process of consultation with the people, and about adjusting any legislative issues. “But it is the people who will choose and we will record their choice,” he said.
“Everything is in his speech,” said Senator Serge Latcher, French National Assembly representative for Martinique. “He reassures on one hand and on the other says things that could be worrying.
“It is up to us, the people of Martinique, to decide and to know what we want, in a nonpartisan way.”
Christine Modock is a native of Martinique and Nathalie Gee hails from the Central Region of France.
