The president of New Caledonia's Southern province has hit out at the pro-independence parties' campaign to try to thwart the sale of Vale's nickel plant.
In an open letter, Sonia Backes said the bid by Prony Resources was a New Caledonian one and opponents should desist being hypocritical.
Sonia Backes Photo: Facebook
The Kanak chiefs and pro-independence parties object to the Prony Resource bid, in part because it includes a Swiss trading company as a 25 percent stakeholder.
Vale rejected a rival bid by Sofinor of the Northern province, with Backes saying it was made because the Northern province wanted the assets of the Southern province.
After days of demonstrations, she said if the blackmail continued she could also organise a crowd to save the 3000 jobs which the pro-independence side was prepared to sacrifice.
Meanwhile, New Caledonia's members of the French legislature issued a joint appeal for mediation by Vale.
They said Vale employees were very worried about the negative climate both economically and politically as well as in terms of public order.
A photo taken on May 27, 2015 shows Brazilian Vale's nickel processing plant of Goro in southern New Caledonia. Photo: AFP PHOTO / FRED PAYET