ROOFTOPS RING TO SOUND OF ANTI-NUCLEAR PROTEST

WELLINGTON, 30 October 1995 -- Greenpeace today took opposition to French testing to the rooftops. Seven protesters climbed onto the roof of the French Ambassador's residence in Wellington, calling for an end to French testing and unfurling French flags painted with NON, radiation symbols and deTESTable.

Responding to the recent third French test the team of climbers set off a warning siren and blew whistles as the Ambassador prepared to leave for Parliament Buildings where he is to receive another diplomatic dressing down from the New Zealand government.

"We want to make sure France not only gets the anti-nuclear message from the Beehive today, but also from the rooftops of Wellington," said Greenpeace's Stephanie Mills from outside the Ambassador's residence. "As long as France explodes nuclear bombs at Moruroa, protests will follow around the world."

Greenpeace said Prime Minister Bolger should seize the opportunity presented by the CHOGM meeting in Auckland next week to lead the Commonwealth in the strongest possible condemnation of French testing and France and Britain's abysmal failure to disarm. Britain still remains the main barrier to a strong CHOGM communique which condemns French testing and France's failure to disarm.

"If France is serious about nuclear disarmament then it should stop testing now and sign the Treaty of Rarotonga immediately, not wait until after the current series of tests ends next year," said Mills. "This third test also risks giving the go ahead to another Chinese nuclear test, and causing yet more damage to the Pacific environment."

UPDATE: Ambassador Le Blanc was forced to leave his residence about an hour early because of the very noisy protest. The climbers managed to occupy the roof for more than an hour until they were (peacefully) removed by the police. They have been arrested for breach of the peace and served with trespass notices but they are unlikely to be charged.