The leader of France's National Front, Marine Le Pen, says New Caledonia should hold its independence referendum as soon as possible.
Speaking to media in Noumea, she also says no effort should be spared to avoid splits among those who oppose independence.
Walter Zweifel reports.
"Marine le Pen says she is convinced New Caledonian politicians attached to France understand that they have a mission and will stop playing with fire. Her comment echoes repeated calls by Paris for unity within the loyalist camp, which in the past decade has seen one split after the other. Under the 1998 Noumea Accord on greater autonomy, a referendum on independence is possible after 2014, with opinion polls consistently suggesting a defeat for the mainly Kanak pro-independence side. With the fragile peace after the unrest of the 1980s in mind, none of the parties, apart from the National Front, is keen to rush a decision."