Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

French Polynesian council snubs French visit

French Polynesian council snubs French visit to Mururoa

The French Polynesian government council on the consequences of nuclear testing has refused to accompany the French defense ministry’s representative for nuclear safety on his trip to the former nuclear test sites.

The ministry representative, Marcel Jurien de la Graviere, is in the territory this week to discuss the consequences of French nuclear testing with local officials.

A government MP, who is also a member of the council, Tea Hirshon, says they didn’t want to go on what she calls a tourist exploration to Mururoa atoll, which is still under French army control.

“He only invited us to Mururoa and not to the other islands. And we did not appreciate to be treated in such a way. Because we said that as members of the government we were follow him all the way through, and that to go and visit Mururoa for only 4 hours is of no interest to us.”

Ms Hirshon says they want their own experts to go to the island.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
World Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.