New Caledonia will be granted “statehood,” but not full independence France has agreed to grant greater autonomy to its Pacific territory of New Caledonia, stopping short of full independence sought by part of the indigenous Kanak population. The accord follows unrest in the territory last year, when protests over proposed changes to the voting system escalated into violent clashes that left 14 people dead and caused an estimated €2 billion ($2.3 billion) in damage. Under the agreement signed