French Nuclear Testing

Despite world-wide protest, the French government has conducted five nuclear weapons tests in 1995. The current series of tests began on September 5 at Mururoa. Further tests followed on October 2, October 28, November 22 and December 27.

A grassroots campaign has been significant in focusing attention on the issue and public boycotts in many countries have led to significant drops in consumption of French products.

The United Nations General Assembly voted 85 to 18 in early December for a resolution which "strongly deplores" the tests and "strongly urges" an end to all nuclear tests. Canada withdrew its co-sponsorship of this resolution though it did vote for the resolution. Resolutions condemning the tests have also been passed at recent meetings of the 112-nation Non-Aligned Movement and the ASEAN Regional Forum of Asian governments.

It is noteworthy, given Japan's close nuclear cooperation with France (including sea shipments of plutonium that were the major Pacific nuclear issue until the resumption of French testing), there has been very strong condemnation from the Japanese government and non-governmental groups. Following the most recent test, a major Japanese business federation cancelled a planned visit to Paris.

The Canadian Government issued a statement deploring the first test. Reactions to subsequent tests have been muted. The government has ignored calls for stronger action such as a moratorium on uranium sales to France. The Government of Saskatchewan, has remained silent and continues its close cooperation with the French nuclear programme. While writing to President Chirac, Premier Harcourt refused a call for a BC boycott of French wines. Public opinion polls show that 60 percent of French citizens oppose nuclear testing.

Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Movement members in many Pacific Island and Pacific Rim countries have been active in the anti-testing campaign. In Tahiti, protests challenge French colonialism. While mostly non-violent, a major exception was the reaction to the first nuclear test. Thousands of people participated in a spontaneous uprising and two days of riots that trashed the airport and saw widesread looting of mainly French owned stores. Damage exceeded $15 million.

The major nuclear powers say they will conclude a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty in 1996. An end to nuclear weapons testing is viewed as a critical move in reducing weapons proliferation. While mostly not disputing that it is a step in the right direction, others question how "comprehensive" the ban will be. The nuclear powers will still be simulating explosions by computer and thus continuing the development of new nuclear weapons. The French insisted that their "final" series of tests is intended to perfect their computer testing. On November 3, the US also announced that it will conduct 6 nuclear weapons tests in 1996-97. The US says that the tests will be conducted in such a way that they are stopped short of a nuclear chain reaction, thus resulting in "zero yield" nuclear weapons tests. The nuclear powers are insisting that the "comprehensive test ban treaty" allows such "zero yield" testing. The test ban treaty being negotiated will fall well short of ending all testing and weapons proliferation.

Compiled by Stuart Wulff of the Pacific Peoples Partnership, (604) 381-4131, 388-5258 fax

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