France is in a
frenzy to be friends
again with the rest
of the world.
Especially with the
countries in the
South Pacific,
which have been
smouldering with
indignation ever
since the Chirac
government
decided to resume
underground
nuclear tests in
French Polynesia.
It has joined hands
with Britain
and the US to sign
the Raratonga
treaty which
pledges to make
South
Pacific a
nuclear-free zone.
The
South Pacific
nuclear-free zone
extends from the
equator to 60'
south. However,
6ance has put its
stamp of approval
only on the condition that Paris
be allowed to finish its series of
nuclear tests. The
announcement was
made by the
United Nations and
confirmed by
officials of all
three nations.
The French
statement declared
that the government
believes "that
internationally
recognised zones
free of nuclear
weapons can
contribute to peace
and international security".
This is the reason
why it has agreed
to sign the
relevant protocols
of the Raratonga
treaty during the
first half of 1996.
The treaty, forged
in 1985, bans
stationing, testing
and stockpiling
of nuclear weapons
in the South
Pacific. The other
two members of
the nuclear dub,
Russia and China,
are already
signatories to this
treaty.
The French gesture
has been
scornfully
dismissed by the
hardcore anti-nuclear
lobbyists like the
Greenpeace
International which
spearheaded the
protest movement
against the French
tests. it is
merely a ploy to
ease the pressure
of international
censure, claims
Michael Szabo,
spokesperson of
the group. But
others are in a mood
to give erring
France yet another
chance. Australia,
one of the
most vocal
French-baiters has
welcomed the move.
The country's
environment
minister, John
Faulkner has urged
Paris to now
cancel the
remaining tests.
"It is
France that is
testing in the South
Pacific and it is
France that must
stop," he said.
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