N.Z. asks for blast details

Press, 5 December 1979, Page 1

N.Z. asks for blast details

NZPA Paris New Zealand has asked France to lift its black-out on nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll. New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys) last evening emphasised to the French Minister in Charge of Overseas Departments and Territories (Mr Dijoud) New Zealand’s total opposition to nuclear testing in any form. Referring to rumours of major mishaps during the testing programme in which several French military personnel on the atoll are said to have died or been severely injured, Mr Taiboys said information

given New Zealand scientists and journalists by the French in 1975 had been of considerable value. No specific requests or promises had been made but he was very conscious of the need for greater information, he said. New Zealand’s constant theme in Europe, that its ability to exert a stabilising influence in the South Pacific depends on its economic well-being which in turn depends on its access to the E.E.C. for butter and lamb, has specific relevance to France.

Relating his talks with Mr Dijoud. Mr Taiboys said he had been given details of the French attitude to the Pacific. Mr Dijoud made the point that it was not for any economic or political purpose that the French were there. Rather they were in the Pacific because they were wanted there by the majority of the inhabitants of their South Pacific territories. Nickel, often given as a

reason for the continuing presence of the French in New Caledonia, was not sufficient reason for remaining there, Mr Dijoud said. France got 40 per cent of her imported nickel from Noumea but each year was spending about 12 billion francs (about SNZ3.I billion) on her overseas possessions which now lie mostly within the Pacific. The French made clear their hope to withdraw with Britain from the New’ Hebrides condominium by mid-way through next year. Mr Dijoud told Mr talboys he hoped New

Zealand would be able to play a major part after independence. Mr Talboys replied that New Zealand’s level of overseas aid had had to be held in recent years, and could not be considered in isolation. In a large part it was related to the opportunities. New Zealand had to earn a living, such as its export access to the European community — and to those avenues it was denied. Mr Talboys said New Zealand had' always supported the idea of self-de-termination for the territories of the Pacific, but made it clear this did not

necessarily mean independence. It was not New Zealand's place to interfere with the internal affairs of France but there was a need for greater information to the people of the Pacific, said Mr Talboys. Mr Dijoud had said he had noted the central point made by Mr Talboys — the economic relationship between New Zealand and the Community and the way this was linked to the South Pacific, Mr Talboys said. France may dump nuclear waste in South Pacific, Page 16.