P.M. appalled by nuclear test

Press, 6 November 1984, Page 1

P.M. appalled by nuclear test

PA Wellington New Zealand might have to take the battle against French nuclear testing into France itself, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, yesterday. Mr Lange told a postCabinet press conference that the French Government had been elected on a (nuclear) policy that was different from the one it was now pursuing. “It is probably time that New Zealand decided that it was worth reminding the French populace that there has been this about-face,” he said. Earlier yesterday, Mr Lange said he was appalled at yet another French nuclear test at Mururoa atoll on Saturday. The test was detected by a seismological station at Rarotonga on Saturday at 9.45 a.m.

Its yield was estimated

by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to be about 40 kilotonnes. Mr Lange said it seemed a series of tests was under way as that was the second test within a week. “I am appalled at this blatant disregard of official protests and public opposition not only in New Zealand but also in all countries of the South Pacific region,” he said. Mr Lange said the magnitude of the explosion was quite inexplicable “in terms of what they were talking to

me about even in New York (at the United Nations).” “They are on a kick which is selfish, totally unacceptable and we are going to have to say so with more vigour afid, I suspect, with more cunning.” New Zealand would have to take the battle against the tests into France, he said. “As far as I am concerned I am going to work on a scheme which goes into the whole scientific aspect of it, why it can’t be held somewhere else, and start to hold it up.”