France retains Caribbean security in referendum on autonomy

FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- France has retained control of its strategic security interests in the Caribbean after a tumultuous year that plunged parts of its overseas territories into a rebellion against central rule from Paris and threatened to spark a movement for secession.

A referendum in Martinique and French Guiana secured for Paris a "no" vote against greater autonomy that could have opened the way to demands for greater freedom.

In a Sunday referendum, residents in the Caribbean island of Martinique voted 78.9 percent against greater autonomy and Guiana voted 69.8 percent against.

Voter turnout was 55.35 percent in Martinique and 48.16 percent in Guiana, the French Ministry of Overseas Collectivities said.

The Caribbean islands were caught up in an autonomy movement after violent protests gripped Guadeloupe, the third French overseas territory in the region. Protests were sparked by high unemployment and underdevelopment that critics say is worse than in the poor neighborhoods of Paris and other French cities.

All three territories are constitutionally part of France and are favorite holiday destinations for French and other tourists. Residents say more needs to be done to improve conditions for the native residents who serve the tourism sector.

France sees the territories as strategic outposts that give Paris a diplomatic edge. The area has a large French military presence and a burgeoning French expatriate community, but neither the military nor the imported expertise has addressed critical issues of unemployment, poor economic output and continued dependence on aid from France.

Rioting in Guadeloupe last year raised the specter of a major security crisis for France, but a combination of political pressure and tough handling of dissidents helped quieten the conflict.

President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed the referendum outcome, saying the vote confirmed the close links of Martinique and Guiana with France. There was little discussion in the local media of what the French authorities planned to do next to resolve issues that caused widespread unrest.

Although some local politicians have been emboldened to demand greater authority, starting with innocuous issues such as education and health, their numbers remain small.

Sarkozy said in a statement the vote "shows the attachment of the inhabitants of Martinique and Guiana to a statute close to that of the mainland, and reaffirms the close links that unite them to the Republic."

Analysts said the vote removed the immediate security threat for France, but not for long. Political leaders led by Alfred Marie-Jeanne have indicated they will continue to pursue their campaign for independence.

Marie-Jeanne said in a French radio broadcast Martinique was the real loser of the referendum and that the vote reflected people's fears, not their aspirations.

France did not hold a referendum in Guadeloupe, scene of violent protests, because of continuing tensions, public anger over unemployment and the aftermath of stoppages and a general strike last year.

Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guiana are departments of France and theoretically on a par with the departments of mainland France. In practice, however, critics have cited chronic underdevelopment and lack of resources in education and health for the native population.

Problems of poor education and insufficient healthcare do not affect the affluent expatriate French communities on the islands.