Mr Mitterrand ‘knew of plans’
NZPA-AFP Paris The French President, Mr Francois Mitterrand, contrary to previous assertions, knew of plans by French secret agents to blow up the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, according to a new book. The book is “Probe into Three State Secrets” by two journalists, Jacques Derogy and Jean-Marie Pontaut. They say that the former head of France’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Admiral Pierre Lacoste, had assured Mr Mitterrand that no one would be hurt in the sabotage and that “France would never be implicated.” Last month, France formally apologised to
New Zealand for its role in the bombing of the ship, at Auckland in July, 1985, when one crew member was killed. Messrs Derogy and Pontaut are on the staff of the weekly magazine, “L’Express,” which has published excerpts of their book in its latest issue. They said that Mr Mitterrand and his top military aide, General Jean Saulnier, were behind the operation from the start General Saulnier gave the go-ahead to Admiral Lacoste to undertake any necessary expenses, the article says. After initially denying that French authorities were responsible, the then Prime Minister, Mr Laurent Fabius, conceded in September that French agents, acting “under orders” had blown up the ship. The vessel was about to lead an armada of ships to protest against French nuclear tests in the Pacific when it was
sabotaged.
Mr Fabius subsequently said that the orders were given by the Minister of Defence, Mr Charles Hernu, and Admiral Lacoste, both of whom were forced to resign.
According to the authors Mr Mitterrand decided to stonewall rather than negotiate with New Zealand, a position they say was recommended by Admiral Lacoste.
France and New Zealand settled their dispute last month after arbitration by? United Nations Secretary-General. Mr Javier Perez de Cuellar.
As part of the deal, New Zealand permitted the transfer of the two French agents, Major Alain Mafart and Captain Dominique Prieur, held in connection with the bombing, to a French military base on the Polynesian atoll of Hao, and France paid $l3 million in damages. <•
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Press, 2 September 1986, Page 14
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344Mr Mitterrand ‘knew of plans’ Press, 2 September 1986, Page 14
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