Testing of French Nuclear Weapons in Pacific: Polynesians Kept in Dark
Forward, not Back: A Fresh Look at Nuclear Tests in French Polynesia
After six months of intensive work and interviews with over 120 individuals, Democratic and Republican MP Mereana Reid-Arbelot unveiled the conclusions of the parliamentary inquiry commission on nuclear tests in French Polynesia that took place between 1966 and 1996. The commission's report delved into issues like French state deception, individual memory, victim compensation, and environmental impact. Here's the lowdown on the key takeaways from this inquiry.
Lessons Learned
First and foremost, what struck me most during this process was a sense of renewed determination and a willingness... a readiness to confront and address the wrongs of the past.
The commission's findings revealed that, from 1966 to 1996, France carried out 193 nuclear tests in French Polynesia, including 46 atmospheric detonations. These tests not only contaminated the environment but also exposed nearly 120,000 residents to harmful levels of radiation, with no prior warning[1].
The consequences of these tests extended far beyond the environment. They took a social, economic, and health toll on the local population, exposing them to dangerous levels of radiation for three decades[1][2][5].
The inquiry also raised concerns that the French government may have underreported the number of victims in a bid to restrict compensation payouts, casting doubt on the government's transparency and accountability[1].
The commission implores France to issue a formal apology as a crucial step towards reconciliation between the French State and the Polynesian people. This apology could potentially be integrated into the 2004 law granting autonomy to the territory[2][4].
The report further advises establishing a commission of historians and researchers to delve into all archives related to France's nuclear testing policy in French Polynesia. The aim is to comprehensively understand and document the extent and impact of the tests[2].
In essence, the parliamentary inquiry exposed the long-term detrimental effects of the nuclear tests on French Polynesia's population and environment, underscored the necessity for official acknowledgment and apology, and emphasized further historical investigation into the nuclear testing legacy[1][2][4][5].
[1] https://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2022-06-17/france-urged-to-make-formal-apology-over-nuclear-testing-in-french-polynesia[2] https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/06/17/france-urged-to-apologize-over-nuclear-tests-in-french-polynesia/[3] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/international/472894/france-urged-to-apologise-for-nuclear-tests-in-french-polynesia[4] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-17/france-nuclear-testing-apology/101029586[5] https://www.dw.com/en/france-urged-to-take-responsibility-for-nuclear-tests-in-french-polynesia/a-61407695
- The commission's findings serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that environmental-science issues, such as nuclear testing, can have on a population, as demonstrated in French Polynesia.
- The report's call for a commission of historians and researchers to delve into France's nuclear testing policy in French Polynesia highlights the importance of policy-and-legislation and politics in addressing and resolving such issues.
- The implications of France's nuclear tests in French Polynesia extend far beyond the confines of war-and-conflicts, touching on general-news topics like health, economy, and social issues, as well as the environmental-science field.
