Nuclear explosions by France
rwi...@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au
and I have never before written a letter of protest such as this - but I
think this is a good time to start. I have addressed them to the
bit.listserv.ecolog-l, sci.bio, and sci.bio.ecology newsgroups because
these are the ones I regularly read.
France plans to detonate up to 8 nuclear bombs between September 1995 and
May 1996.
The French Prime Minister, Mr Juppe was reported to describe the furious
response from Pacific rim nations "a little exaggerated and excessive".
Maybe if his children where living in the region he may regard it differently.
US President Clinton described the test as "regrettable", but held back
from any firm rebuke. Similar con-commital responses have come from other
leaders from Northern Hemisphere countries. The recent meeting of the G-7
carefully avoided discussing the issue.
Now, the US has suggested that it too may resume exploding their nuclear bombs.
This issue has an extremely high profile in the south Pacific region, yet
all reports in our newspapers in Australia suggest that people in the
Northern Hemisphere aren't aware or concerned that its happening.
If you find the exploding of nuclear bombs anywhere deplorable, and would
like to join in the protest against France's intent to do just that please
consider the following:
* If you have French colleagues, please ask them if they are aware of
France's planned nuclear detonations, and if they would consider helping
raise protest within France, as that will concern French politicians more
than any protest from outside of France.
* If you have a web page, please put a note of protest for the world to see!
* If you're in the US, please protest to the appropriate places to
encourage the US government not to join the French.
Thank you for taking the time to read this note. I find the French plans
to explode nuclear devices in the Pacific highly objectionable. If you
concur, please help send the message - enough voices raised in protest may
make a difference.
- Ray Wills
--
regards, Ray Wills
Mark Van Alstine
rwi...@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au (rwi...@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au) wrote:
Ray,
> France plans to detonate up to 8 nuclear bombs between September 1995 and
> May 1996.
> The French Prime Minister, Mr Juppe was reported to describe the furious
> response from Pacific rim nations "a little exaggerated and excessive".
I wonder if the French government would similiar testing in the Bay of
Biscay as a "a little exaggerated and excessive?" If not, why don't they
test there? If so, their position on testing in the Pacific seems a tad
hypocritical, no? };->
> Maybe if his children where living in the region he may regard it differently.
Maybe. But with that that touchy French nationalist ego one never knows... };->
> US President Clinton described the test as "regrettable", but held back
> from any firm rebuke. Similar con-commital responses have come from other
> leaders from Northern Hemisphere countries. The recent meeting of the G-7
> carefully avoided discussing the issue.
Not speaking for the other G-7 leaders, it may be because if the French go
ahead and test the U.S. might want to sneak in a few "little" tests of our
own... Typical Clinton waffling. (If you're gonna test might as well be
counted as a goat instead of a sheep and do a few "big" tests...)
Irregardless, if the French test and that opens the gate for others to
also test that wouldn't be so hot. If non-proliferation and trying to get
a complete test-ban is one's goals that is... I just say we all blame the
French for being typically French! Any chance of you guys pulling a
Canadian style "objection" ala the "fish wars?" };->
> Now, the US has suggested that it too may resume exploding their nuclear
bombs.
The French made us do it! Blame them! };->
> This issue has an extremely high profile in the south Pacific region, yet
> all reports in our newspapers in Australia suggest that people in the
> Northern Hemisphere aren't aware or concerned that its happening.
Out of sight, out mind maybe? (Ouch! Still pretty lame, huh?)
> If you find the exploding of nuclear bombs anywhere deplorable, and would
> like to join in the protest against France's intent to do just that please
> consider the following:
>
> * If you have French colleagues, please ask them if they are aware of
> France's planned nuclear detonations, and if they would consider helping
> raise protest within France, as that will concern French politicians more
> than any protest from outside of France.
IMHO, fat chance of the making a difference. The French being French and
all. Besides I _don't_ know any French "collegues" (Collegues?! har har!)
> * If you have a web page, please put a note of protest for the world to see!
Like the French government will pay attention to it? Uh huh...
> * If you're in the US, please protest to the appropriate places to
> encourage the US government not to join the French.
Now THAT I will do!
Tongue-in-cheek,
Mark
Anthony Wallis
> May 1996.
> Now, the US has suggested that it too may resume exploding
A point of clarification: are the French tests in the South
Pacific atmospheric or underground ? There's a considerable
difference. (If atmospheric, then I think the whole planet
should scream bloody murder and not just the South Pacific !)
The US tests will be underground and, as I understand it,
"quality control" shots from existing inventory and not
development tests of new warheads.
--
to...@nexus.yorku.ca = Tony Wallis, York University, North York, Canada.
rwi...@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au
(Mark Van Alstine) wrote:
> In article <rwills-2006...@192.147.114.210>,
> rwi...@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au (rwi...@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au) wrote:
>French for being typically French! Any chance of you guys pulling a
>Canadian style "objection" ala the "fish wars?" };->
We went close in Perth - you may have heard on the news that a French
consulate was fire-bombed in Australia a few days ago, Perth is the oz
city where it all happened.
It is actually a very unfortunate story - the 'consulate' is owned by
Australian citizen who acts as Honorary French Consul in Perth. The
Consul is a medic and the building also housed his surgery - 20000 patient
records were destroyed in the fire. All the no-nukes/peace protest groups
that had demonstrated outside the building the day before the bombing
condemned the violence of the attack and distanced themselves from it.
Ironically, it seems of all the events surrounding the French announcement
of nuclear testing, the fire-bombing is the only thing that managed to
make newspapers around the world - sad that the violent protests are
newsworthy and peaceful protests not.
The stories in Oz are starting to retreat to page 3 and page 5 of the
newspapers, so I'm not sure how long the feeling will continue. But, the
Australian government has announced that it will not accept a bid by a
French company on a defence contract for the supply of fighters. That may
have some
impact as the contract is worth $1 billion, although defence commentators
here are saying that the company was only an outside chance anyway, so the
governement may be doing them a favour by saving the company the cost of
putting up a bid...
> > Now, the US has suggested that it too may resume exploding their nuclear
> bombs.
>
> The French made us do it! Blame them! };->
You should be in politics - ever thought of running for the oval office! :)
>> * If you have a web page, please put a note of protest for the world to see!
>
>Like the French government will pay attention to it? Uh huh...
Maybe not, but then check out the following posted to me by a friend in Perth -
>The following WWW connection may help those of you wishing to add your
>personal protest concerning French President Chirac's decision to resume
>nuclear bomb testing in the Pacific.
>
>This is the "Visitor's book" of the Ministry of Culture:-
>
>http://web.culture.fr/culture/livredor-accueil.htm
- you might like to read all the signatures at:
http://dmf.culture.fr/PF/Projects/LIVREDOR/
>> * If you're in the US, please protest to the appropriate places to
>> encourage the US government not to join the French.
>
>Now THAT I will do!
Excellent - thanks!
--
Dr Ray Wills, Perth, Western Australia
Hans-Cees Speel
>From: rwi...@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au (rwi...@sunny.gis.uwa.edu.au)
>Subject: Re: Nuclear explosions by France
>Date: Thu, 22 Jun 1995 14:16:18 +0800
>>This is the "Visitor's book" of the Ministry of Culture:-
>>
>>http://web.culture.fr/culture/livredor-accueil.htm
> - you might like to read all the signatures at:
> http://dmf.culture.fr/PF/Projects/LIVREDOR/
I just did. If other people would do the same, it might be a good thing. If
greenpeace can do it, so can we!
Hans-Cees Speel
>From: ha...@sepa.tudelft.nl (Hans-Cees Speel)
>Subject: Re: Nuclear explosions by France/ sign!
>Date: Fri, 23 Jun 1995 14:00:51
I tried to sign the France questbook with a protest, but my mail was rejected!
The Root said:
> From: ro...@dmf.culture.fr
> Date: Fri, 23 Jun 1995 15:29:29 +0200
> To: ha...@sepa.tudelft.nl
> Subject: Re: Courrier non transmis. (Mail not sent).
> Well, this is a guestbook, not a petition against nuclear testing.
> That's why your mail was rejevted.
>
Is this a nice example of politicians at work, or what!
Wolfgang Schechinger
come if France exploces any more bombs (haven't they done several hundreds too much?). Bomb
explosion products, especially the heavy Plutonium and its salts are extremely toxic by a
chemical point of view. That's an argument often not considered.
Wolfgang