Call to end nuclear tests

Call to end nuclear tests

In an open letter sent to the four remaining nuclear testing nations on February 20, Greenpeace called on France, Britain, the US and China to join the moratorium on nuclear testing instituted by the Commonwealth of Independent States in 1991.

The Greenpeace flagship, the SV Rainbow Warrior, has left the US bound for France's nuclear test site at Moruroa atoll in the South Pacific in an effort to stop the 1992 French testing program planned to begin in May.

Greenpeace called on Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans to institute a new diplomatic initiative on the South Pacific Forum countries' long-standing opposition to nuclear testing.

Greenpeace Pacific campaigner Noni Keyes said that Australia has been commendable in opposing France's nuclear testing in the Pacific in the past, and could play a greater part now with some new diplomatic initiatives.

About 50 vessels from Sydney Peace Squadron and Paddlers for peace tackled two French warships visiting Sydney Harbour in actions over three days February 21-23. The two ships, the Garonne and La Moqueuse, took refuge in Garden Island to escape the protests. The peace activists are campaigning for an end to French nuclear testing in the Pacific.

From GLW issue 45