Hastening French Nuclear Tests

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 17

Hastening French Nuclear Tests

(N.Z. Press Association-Copyright) PARIS, April 6. The anti-aircraft cruiser De Grasse was on its way to the Pacific today to speed up preparations for a new series of French nuclear tests.

Maritime spokesmen said the 9380-ton cruiser would become flagship of a task force which would take part in the tests.

French officials discarded speculation that the tests, due to take place this summer, might include the explosion of the first French hydrogen bomb. Rather, they said, the French Army would test the atomic device that would trigger future hydrogen bombs. The atomic tests will take place at the Mururoa atoll, in the Tuamotu archipelago, about 800 miles south-east of the French-owned Pacific island of Tahiti. Striking Force The tests are designed to speed up the creation of the French nuclear striking force. The French atomic force now is composed of Mirage IV supersonic bombers armed with World War 11-type bombs. The tests will probably coincide with the withdrawal of France from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, set for July 1. President Charles de Gaulle claims that France’s

atomic potential, though not comparable with the Soviet and United States nuclear capabilities, will be sufficient to deter a potential aggressor. The De Grasse’s departure helped to emphasise General de Gaulle’s determination not to be thwarted in his nuclear ambition by protests in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and other Pacific nations who are concerned about possible atomic fall-out.