New Caledonia votes against independence

paris - The French archipelago of New Caledonia in the south of the Pacific Ocean wants to stay with France. About 57 percent of the people voted against independence from France in a referendum on Sunday. 95 percent of the votes have now been counted. The turnout is almost 80 percent.

Approximately 175,000 inhabitants of the archipelago in the Pacific may vote. The strongest advocates for independence are the Kanaken, the original inhabitants. They have been waiting for the referendum for more than three decades.