THIRD FRENCH A-BOMB TEST

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29398, 28 December 1960, Page 9

THIRD FRENCH A-BOMB TEST

Small-Yield Blast In Sahara

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) PARIS, December 27. France today exploded an atomic bomb, of small yield, in the Sahara. It was the third French atomic test. Informed sources said later that the French had probably exploded an aerial device. They said a fourth French nuclear explosion could be expected in “a relatively short time, probably in a few weeks.” The official Soviet news agency, Tass, said that by exploding another atomic bomb, France was “continuing along the road of the atomic arms race which is one of the obstacles to reaching disarmament agreement.”

The third French explosion will bolster French demands for United States help in atomic development, American Associated Press said. The United States McMahon Act provides that American secrets can be shared only with friendly nations that have made ‘'substantial” advances in their own atomic research.

With the third explosion, France can now claim with greater force that she has made substantial progress toward producing an actual atomic weapon, not just an experimental explosion.

Previously only Britain has qualified to share United States atomic secrets and this privileged position has angered the French and led to diplomatic friction within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

In Washington, there was no immediate official United States reaction to the news. Washington reacted with what appeared to be coolness when the first French atomic bomb was exploded last February. The State Department said at that time that the French feat was no surprise. There was no word of praise or congratulations and no comment by the White House.

Today’s French Defence Ministry said: “In the framework of the execution of the French military atomic programme, a nuclear explosion of slight power took place with success on December 27 at 7.30 a.m. on the experimental range at Reggan, in the Sahara. “As during the first explosions, every precaution was taken so that the fallout would present

no danger to the people. The results of the measures made in the control posts scattered over the African continent will be published as soon as possible.” France has exploded two other atomic devices this year, on February 13 and on April 1. Both were above ground. ‘ The first had an explosive power of between 60 and 70 kilotons. The second, described officially as of “small power” was exploded while Mr Khrushchev was a guest of President de Gaulle at his official country home at Rambouillet, near Paris.

The first two devices exploded by France were plutonium bombs. Plutonium is an artificial product made from natural uranium, and is produced at the French atomic station at Marcoule, in southeastern France.

Both explosions also took place on the range at Reggan, about 935 miles south of Oran, in an area described as “the desert of deserts.” The first device had about five times the power of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima towards the end of World War 11. The second bomb, the exact power of, which has never been revealed officially, is thought to have had only one-fifth or onesixth the power of the first. The French explosions have been the only nuclear tests since Britain, the United States and Russia agreed to a voluntary suspension of tests two years ago. The moratorium ended last December 31. Since then, Russia has said she would feel free to resume tests if America did so. but the United States has said that it would not resume nuclear tests without stating in advance its intention to do so. Earlier this month, the British Prime Minister, Mr Macmillan, told a questioner in Parliament that Britain would not resume testing so long as "useful discussions” continued in the Geneva test ban talks.