the french did nuclear testing in the pacific in 1966 and 1996.
the french did nuclear testing in the pacific in 1966 and 1996.
where did the french do nuclear testing in the pacific?
1966 and 1996
mururoa, and its sister atoll fangataufa, were the site of extensive nuclear testing by france between 1966 and 1996, as well as the site of numerous protests by various vessels, including the "rainbow warrior". the atoll was officially established as a nuclear test site by france on september 21, 1962, when the direction des centres d'expérimentations nucléaires (dircen) was established to administer the nuclear testing. this followed with the construction of various infrastructures on the atoll commencing in may 1963. the atoll of hao, to the north-west of mururoa, was chosen as a support base for the nuclear tests and other operations.
moruroa
there is also the issue of nuclear testing in the pacific. since 1960, around 200 nuclear tests have occurred around the pacific, to the opprobrium of other pacific states, australia and new zealand. in 1982, new zealand reggae band herbs released their breakthrough single, "french letter", which strongly criticised french nuclear testing. the end of the cold war led to a french moratorium on nuclear testing, but it was lifted in 1995 by jacques chirac. french security forces have sought to interfere with the activity of nuclear testing protesters. in 1972, the greenpeace vessel "vega" was rammed at moruroa. the following year greenpeace protesters were detained by the french, and the skipper claimed he was beaten. also, in 1985 the french secret service bombed and sank the greenpeace ship "rainbow warrior" in auckland, new zealand. greenpeace had been a very vocal opponent of french nuclear testing in the pacific. australia ceased military cooperation with france and embargoed the export of uranium to france. chirac's decision to run a nuclear test series at mururoa on 5 september and 2 october 1995, just one year before the comprehensive test ban treaty was to be signed, caused worldwide protest, including an embargo of french wine. riots took place across polynesia, and the south pacific forum threatened to suspend france.
francophobia