Foreign Policy
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During the Lini era, foreign policy was as cool to France as it was warm to the other nations of the South Pacific Forum. The Vanuaaku Party staunchly endorsed the principle of independence for French-held New Caledonia. It also maintained strong relations with Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, which together constituted the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
| Maxime Carlot Korman on Vanuatu’s Role in the Pacific “The most important thing is to ensure that Vanuatu be an independent nation in the South Pacific region. And Vanuatu needs to be in the forefront of world languages, international languages in the South Pacific. By the very presence of Vanuatu the French language will become the property of all the countries of the South Pacific region. I think that in the United States this is how things developed. They chose the word well — the United States of America. I think that one day the leaders of the Pacific will open their eyes to realize that there is perhaps another way to proceed. Perhaps a federation.” |
With the UMP accession to power there was a noticeable tilt towards France. French paratroopers fell from the skies during independence celebrations and a full ambassador has been warmly received. Australia and New Zealand nevertheless remain important actors in Vanuatu’s foreign policy.
Lini’s joining of a nuclear free zone caused friction with the United States, as did flirtation during the 1970’s with Libya. But rapprochement with the U.S. has also proceeded apace since Lini was replaced.