over the years their number grew, and the indigenous inhabitants, the konaks, grew smaller. the french authorities infringed on the melonians' rights, they were mown down by previously unknown diseases, alcoholism and inter-clan wars. in the middle of the century, new caledonia received the status of an overseas territory of france and the movement for independence began to gain strength here. in 1998 , supporters of independence concluded the nome agreement with the french authorities, according to which they held three referendums on independence, but did not receive a majority in any of them. in the spring of this year, new caledonia again erupted protests after paris' attempt to give voting rights to all settlers who had lived on the islands for more than 10 years. on september 24, 1964 , the work of the us supreme court earl warren's commission on the investigation into the death of president john kennedy ended. but the most high-profile political assassination of the 20th century remained the most mysterious. the official culprit was named, lich arvie osvelt, a former