France: “in”, “of” or “from” the South Pacific region?

In the 1980s, amid regional controversy over France’s policies in South Pacific, a debate emerged around the idea of whether France was simply a sovereign presence ‘‘in’’ the region, or could also be seen as being ‘‘of’’ or ‘‘from’’ the region. It is an important question, as it goes to the heart of how France wants to be seen in the South Pacific region, and in the world. If France wants to remain ‘‘in’’ the Pacific, as is evident from recent official policy and statements, then the nature of its future effective presence will be shaped not only by its own perceptions, but by those of regional countries, about its status as part ‘‘of’’ the region. Whereas French policies in the South Pacific led to regional instabilities and even threatened regional security in the second half of the last century, in recent years France has been a useful western ally in the South Pacific. With new regional uncertainties, including new interest from China, by seeing itself as a country ‘‘of’’ the region, France may better be able to maintain an effective sovereign presence ‘‘in’’ the Pacific, at a time when it is addressing the future of its principal Pacific entities.