Indigenous campaigners who launched a violent protest over construction of a nickel mine in New Caledonia walked out of negotiations yesterday.
Rheebu Nuu protesters in the French Pacific territory have vowed not to give in on their demands.
The group have been blamed for causing more than 10 million US dollars in damage at the Goro Nickel site last weekend.
Representatives of the French administration, company and labour officials,
and Rheebu Nuu members were to discuss the stand-off yesterday.
But as Rheebu Nuu leader, Raphael Mapou who has been sought for questioning since
the violence could not attend, his supporters walked out.
Roughly 1600 workers were pulled out of the project after last weekend's
unrest, which saw machinery damaged at the site.
There were also reports of an arson attack overnight.
Rock Wamytan, an indigenous leader who briefly attended the talks before
leaving, underlined environmental concerns over the massive project and said a
fund for royalities to be paid to locals should be established.