1/23 French Gov Confirms Contamination from Tests

[the.greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
Original-Cc:      The Greenbase (Green2:Green2:Gnl:Main)
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                   GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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GREENPEACE CALLS FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE, IMMEDIATE BAN ON TESTS
AS FRENCH GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS CONTAMINATION FROM WEAPONS TESTS 
 
PARIS, January 23, 1996 -- (GP) The French government
confirmed today that it knew about, but did not release,
information concerning radioctive contamination from its
nuclear testing program in the South Pacific in 1995. 
Greenpeace has called on the French government to fully
disclose the contamination data, immdiately stop any further
nuclear tests and to forge ahead with current talks in Geneva
to ban all nuclear weapons tests.
 
According to Alain Barthoux, the director of the French
nuclear agency CEA, French officials monitored the presence of
radioactive iodine 131 after one of the nuclear weapons tests
in 1995.  The radioactive contamination found around Moruroa
atoll is clear evidence that radioactivity from France's
controversial nuclear tests has escaped into the environment. 
 
 
The stunning revelation was made in the course of "closed
door" talks in Washington last November regarding the
Comprehensive Test Ban treaty currently being negotiated in
Geneva.  The
informaton was apparently leaked to the press by officials in
the meeting.  In turn, the CEA's director was forced to
confirm the now "public" statement.
 
"The French government has lied to the public and concerned
governments around the planet," said Greenpeace's Damon
Moglen.  "Rather than spending time and energy in trying to
erase the facts, President Chirac should now commit to a
nuclear testing moratorium while the Comprehensive Test Ban is
being negotiated."  
Although France has promised to honor an international test
ban it stills plans on continuing to conduct at least one more
nuclear test in the next few days or weeks.
 
ENDS
 
For more information:
Damon Moglen, Greenpeace International in Paris:
+331-4770-4689  Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications:
+44171-833-0600 
Josh Handler, Greenpeace International: +1202-319-2516 
 
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