French commandos seized the Greenpeace yacht Vega with 21 of the original inhabitants of Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls — the sites of the current round of French nuclear weapons tests — as it attempted to land on Moruroa to demand the return of the atolls to the Polynesian people. The protesters were intercepted by French forces on September 26 just 4 kilometres inside the 20 kilometre exclusion zone around the Moruroa test site. The Polynesians announced earlier that they would enter the exclusion zone around Moruroa. They planned to land on the atoll and stay for a night.
"For over 30 years the French government has seriously harmed our children, islands and oceans", read the Polynesians' statement. "We respectfully request that you immediately stop further testing of nuclear weapons on our property and return Moruroa and Fangataufa to us. We will then call on the United Nations to clean up and try to prevent any further pollution of our ocean and land from these two atolls."
The Polynesians asked that the French government respond to their call within 15 days or "we will take further action to settle this matter".
The Vega is the third Greenpeace vessel to be impounded by the French military in the waters surrounding Moruroa.
Polynesians demand return of Moruroa
You need Green Left, and we need you!
Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.
Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.
Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.
You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.