Mr Hernu’s statement

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 2

Mr Hernu’s statement

NZPA-Reuter Paris The following is an unofficial translation of a statement made by the French Defence Minister, Mr Charles Hernu, yesterday after the newspaper, “Le Monde,” said he knew in advance of the sabotage of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior: “Defence Minister Charles Hernu forcefully protests against the campaign of rumours and insinuations

being waged against French military officials over the attack on the Rainbow Warrior. “He regards it as unacceptable that several French generals who hold or who have held the highest responsibilties in the military apparatus are being implicated. - “He declares that no service and no organisation depending on his Ministry received any orders to

carry out an attack on the Rainbow Warrior. He declares that to his knowledge the D.G.S.E. (French Secret Service) did not at the time have in New Zealand, besides Major (Alain) Mafart and Captain (Dominique) Prieur (awaiting trial in New Zealand), any other agents besides those aboard the Ouvea. Lastly, Mr Hernu recalls that this attack is unjustifi-

able and that he has pledged to do everything necessary to establish the truth. “If it were established that officers had countermanded his orders or had lied to him he would immediately say so and would ask the Government to draw the necessary conclusions, but nothing for the moment allows him to think that this might be the case.”