French Polynesian MP criticises France over nukes

Thursday, 18 May 2006, 8:50 pm
Press Release: Radio New Zealand International

French Polynesian MP criticises France over nuclear history

The French Polynesian government council on the consequences of nuclear testing says the French are not transparent enough when it comes to dealing with their nuclear history in the region.

This comes as ministry representative, Marcel Jurien de la Graviere, is visiting the territory this week to discuss the consequences of French nuclear testing with local officials.

A government MP, who is also a member of the council, Tea Hirshon, says the ministry representative did not give them a list of all former nuclear workers.

She says they have received the exact location of nuclear waste disposals, but no commitment into a major nuclear waste clean-up.

“At first he refused saying that they have done the clean-up there. And we said, no you haven’t done it well, it needs to be redone again. Same with the health issue. When we discussed the financing of the cancer [study], he said he is not able to speak about finances.”

The council has refused to accompany the French defense ministry’s representative for nuclear safety on his trip to the former nuclear test sites.

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