Aust. scientists for Mururoa

Press, 15 July 1983, Page 3

Aust. scientists for Mururoa

NZPA Canberra The Australian Government has accepted a French invitation to send scientists to inspect France’s nuclear testing site on Mururoa Atoll.

The Foreign Minister, Mr Bill Hayden, announced the decision in Canberra after it was agreed by the Cabinet but he said the visit would go ahead only if Australia’s Pacific neighbours agreed. Mr Hayden said Australia would be prepared to take part in the inspection provided it was endorsed by other Pacific countries at the South Pacific Forum meeting in Canberra next month. He said Australia would not move without the approval of its Pacific neighbours because Australia wanted the support of other Pacific countries in its proposal for a nuclear-free zone in the South Pacific. Mr Hayden was asked at a news conference if the

Australian Government might get involved in the technicalities of the French tests when it could simply say it flatly opposed them. Mr Hayden replied: “Well, there are two things you can do in life, I suppose. “If you are a social worker you can denounce sin and lock the doors and never see it going on. “Or you can get out and work and try to halt it. I am a street worker.”