Including Statements of Opposition from:
* Vicente Berasategui, Director of the European Area of the Argentinean Foreign Ministry, had an interview with the French Ambassador in Argentina, Renaud Vignal (June 22). Berasategui expressed to him the "big concern" of the government about the future FNTs.
* Branded the resumption of testing at the French Polynesian atoll of Mururoa as "unnecessary, a provocative, dangerous.... indefensible decision". Foreign Minister, Gareth Evans [AFP, 10/07/95].
* Gareth Evans, the Foreign Minister, on a visit to Jordan, condemned France's decision to resume tests and urged the international community to pressure Paris to change its mind. "I think if the international pressure is maintained, not just from our part of the world, but from all around the world, then there would be something that they would just have to seriously consider," Mr Evans said. "The Cold War is over. It is time to be looking forward constructively." UK, Daily Telegraph, 15th July 1995.
* On July 11th the Austrian Government officially protested against the tests and announced that they would repeat the protest in "the relevant international political fora".
* "Belgium is deeply disappointed with the French decision, because this decision is opposite to the spirit of the NPT. French decision may compromise the solidarity shown during the signing of the treaty", Press release from the Belgium Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 14th June 1995.
* To be confirmed, however, French ambassador has been summoned to the Brazilian Ministry for Foreign Affairs to receive a note from the Government which regrets the resumption of testing.
* Foreign Affairs Minister Andre Ouellet said in June that the resumption of nuclear testing is " absolutely against the interest of world security" and could encourage the proliferation of nuclear arms. [Business Information Wire, 10th July 1995].
* Chile sent only second-tier officials to the festivities [Bastille day] to show its displeasure over plans to resume tests, foreign minister Jose Miguel Insulza said.
Instead of going himself, the minister sent his number two and chief of protocol to the embassy.
Insulza said he had also asked the French government for information on the possible impact of its nuclear testing on Chilean-held Easter Island, which lies in the South Pacific.
Chile, with a long South Pacific coast, earlier called on France to reconsider its plans to begin nuclear testing in September in the Mururoa atoll in French Polynesia. [Reuter, July 14th].
* Former Czechoslovak foreign minister Jiri Dienstbier, one of the country's most popular political figures, and two retired army generals signed a petition calling upon the French government not to resume testing in the Pacific at a demonstration outside the French Embassy. "I doubt I'll be invited back to the French Embassy again but I have to make a stand," said retired General Antonin Spacek [Reuter 14th July 1995].
A name="Denmark">Denmark
* The Foreign Ministry Announces: In Response to the French President's Decision to end the temporary moratorium, the Foreign Minister States: It is with surprise and sincere regret that I learn that the President of France, Jacques Chirac, today has decided to carry out 8 nuclear tests. [Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Press Release, June 13, 1995].
* Fijian Foreign Minister Filipe Bole said he will stay away from festivities planned by French ambassador Jacques Costilhes in Suva. [ AFP. July 13 1995]
* "Finland regrets the decision of France to continue nuclear testing between September 1995 and May 1996'said minister Halonen" [The Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Tarja Halonen, 13th June 1995, Helsingin Sanomat].
* "I repeat the time had come to put an end to the nuclear armaments race," the ex-president said in the interview with the weekly news magazine L'Express released last Tuesday. [Reuter, July 4th 1995].
* A poll by the German Forsa institute published in weekly newspaper Die Woche found that 95 percent of Germans oppose the French tests. It said 60 percent of French people were opposed to the tests and only 24 percent in favour. Half of French people were prepared for France's nuclear power to be placed under European control. [reuter 19th July 1995]
* "Such tests are not in line with the German government's political ideas", Helmut Schaefer, minister of state for the German foreign office, [AFP, 10/07/95].
* The general secretary of the Free Democrats, members of Chancellor Helmut Kohl's government, told the French ambassador in a letter that "France's isolated decision to resume nuclear tests undermines worldwide efforts to disarm nuclear weapons." [Reuter 14th July 1995].
* 500 German and other scientists published an appeal to Chirac to stop the tests. They said they were "horrified and dejected" by the plans, which "mirror the behaviour of the Cold War period."
Signers of the letter included Carl Friedrich von Weizsaecker, who worked on the fledgling Nazi atomic bomb project and has become a leading critic of nuclear weapons. The letter echoed a 1957 vow by German scientists never to work on an atomic bomb. [AP 15th July 1995].
* Germany, previously silent on the issue due to its close neighbourly ties with France, also chose this occasion to express disapproval of France's decision to resume testing. "Such testing are not in line with the German government's political ideas", minister of state at the German foreign office Helmut Schaefer told German radio. [ AFP 10 July 1995].
* A poll by the German Forsa institute published in weekly newspaper Die Woche found that 95 percent of Germans oppose the French tests. It said 60 percent of French people were opposed to the tests and only 24 percent in favour. Half of French people were prepared for France's nuclear power to be placed under European control. [reuter 19th July 1995]
* Greece is opposed to all forms of nuclear testing, foreign ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said today when asked to comment on France's decision to resume nuclear tests in the South Pacific "All testing is unacceptable, particularly following the extension of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons" Bikas added. [Xinhua, July 13th 1995].
* "Indonesia urges France to reconsider decision to resume nuclear testing. With regard to the recent announcement by the French Government that it would resume nuclear testing in the South Pacific, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia finds such a decision regrettable as it does not conform in any way to the decision adopted during the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the NPT which amongst others, has the nuclear weapons states to exercise utmost restraint". [letter from Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, date 14/06/95].
* Italy's president Oscar Luigi Scalfaro has met (Wednesday) a delegation from the environmental group Greenpeace and harshly condemned French plans to test nuclear weapons in the Pacific. He said the tests were for military purposes and therefore contrary to peace. [July 12 (UPI)]
"No man has the right to decide for future generations," Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro said. Declaring himself "a friend of France," he appealed to the French government, saying, "There is nothing more intelligent than going back on your own position." [AFP, July 12th 1995]
* Neutral Ireland has expressed anger at the French decision and foreign minister Dick Spring says he will raise the issue at the next EU Council of Foreign ministers. [reuter 14th July 1995]
* "I have to show my regret for the French decision of resuming nuclear testing which will extremely belie the credit of non- nuclear states", Mr Yohei Konon, the Minister of Foreign affairs in a telephone conversation with the French Minister for foreign affairs, [Kanagwawa Shimbun, 14th June 1995]
* "Your decision (to resume nuclear testing is extremely regrettable. I would like to ask you to reconsider it", Mr Tomiichi Murayama, Prime Minister during a meeting with Jacques Chirac, 19th June, [Asahi Shimbun, 20th June 1995].
* The Japanese Finance minister, Masayoshi Takemura, said yesterday that Japan should renew its protest against the testing and should boycott French products. "Demonstrations, signature collecting campaigns and boycotting. These are all great things to do" he said. "In a show of protest, let us grandly get on board a ship and stand in the say. As a politician, I promise to take the lead." [The Guardian, 18th July 1995]
* The Japanese Prime Minister, Tomiichi Murayama, yesterday accused the French government of betrayal and said Japan would sponsor a United Nations resolution condemning France's resumption of nuclear testing. "China has already conducted a nuclear test, and now France is to resume testing" [Independent 20th July 1995]
* "The luxembourgish government reacted to June 14th to President Chirac's declaration to resume nuclear testing in the Pacific, by deeply regreting this decision. We judge this decision incompatible with the spirit of the NPT...
Finally, the Luxembourgish government has expressed its hope to the President of France to take into account all reactions and advice from her partners and friends and consequently to change his intention to start nuclear testing". [letter to Greenpeace from Mr Jacques F. Poos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, June 15th 1995]
* Foreign Minister Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Malaysia has voiced its disapproval of France's decision to resume nuclear testing with French President Jacques Chirac's order for eight new nuclear tests [BUSINESS TIMES (MALAYSIA), July 12, 1995]
* "I have been specifically asked by H.E. Pressident Bernard Dowiiyogo, MP, the President of the Republic of Nauru, to write this letter to you expressing Nauru's wholehearted support for your campaign in the Pacific against French Nuclear Testing", letter to Greenpeace from Martin Weston, Republic of Nauru, 11th July 1995.
* Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok has written to President Jacques Chirac of France expressing disappointment at France's decision to carry out a series of nuclear weapons tests, an official statement said on Tuesday.
"The government has expressed its disappointment to the French government through a statement and a personal letter from prime-minister Kok to president Chirac," the statement said, [reuter, 11th July 1995].
* "The New Zealand Government appreciates the stand taken by private organisations and individuals against the action of the French Government in resuming nuclear testing in the Pacific. It has taken every opportunity to make known to the French Government its opposition to this action. In conjunction with its South Pacific Forum Partners, it will continue to look at other ways of expressing its opposition, remembering that the disagreement is not with the people of France but against a decision of the French Government", Letter to Greenpeace from the John Collinge, High Commissioner in London, July 11th 1995.
* On the 20th July, the New Zealand Parliament passed unanimously a motion condemning the resumption of testing by the French government. "Deploring the recent announcement by President Chirac that France intends to resume nuclear testing in the South Pacific, thereby breaking the moratorium observed since 1992. .. Urges France and the other four nuclear weans states to agree to a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty which specifically prohibits all nuclear tests and experiments, including low and very low yield tests."
* North Korean Central News Agency, "The Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was interviewed by KCNA, and said. Recently, the French government made an official announcement that France will resume nuclear test on South Pacific in September.... If the French Government restarts nuclear test, ignoring the unanimous demand of the Pacific nationals and other countries, it will bring into a bold relief its true colour as a hypocrite who as called for the stability of the plant. It will be a beneficial behaviour in every respect that France withdraws the decision to resume the reckless nuclear test, free from the mental state of the Cold War and the concept of confrontation. [BBC Summary of World Broadcasts June 21 1995].
* Reportedly, government have sent statement of opposition to France, but no referrence yet.
* We have learned from recent news reports that French President Jacques Chirac has not as yet decided on whether France will resume nuclear testing in the Pacific. As an Asian-Pacific nation, the Philippines is deeply concerned with the issue of nuclear testing anywhere in the Pacific. Such tests cause environmental damage, pose untold hazards to nearby countries and do not help promote the cause of greater global security. The Philippines fully understand the anxieties of the countries nearest to the Pacific nuclear test sites and appreciates their position that such tests be discontinued.[ Statement of H.E. President Fidel V. Ramos on nuclear testing in the Pacific, Manila, 24 May 1995]
* Russia expressed its "regrets" over the incident, which it said was "directly linked" to the testing programme. "We regret this decision (to resume testing) which amounts to violating the moratorium in force between the four nuclear powers" --- Britain, France, Russia and the United States. [AFP 10 July 1995].
* The State Duma (Parliament) of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, passed unanimously on 20th July a statement opposing the resumption of testing by the French Government. .."We urge the President of France and its Parliament to renounce the conduct of nuclear tests and to unite the efforts of our countries to save the nuclear free world."
South Korea No press statement available from the Korean Embassy in Canberra, as it's in Korean and they don't translate into English for the media! They did phone through the following: The Korean Foreign Minister has made a statement opposing French nuclear tests. There is no official statement from the Korean Embassy who state that the comment has been made by the Foreign Minister.
* Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez told a press conference he was opposed to France's decision and said he had recently warned Paris the move would cause a "delicate" international situation. [AFP July 12th 1995]
* Sweden deeply regrets that France has decided to resume its nuclear tests. We have also conveyed this directly to the French government, says prime minister Ingvar Carlsson. [Swedish Ministry of State, Press Release, June 14, 1995].
* "I wish to reiterate that it is deeply regretful that France insists on its decision to conduct new nuclear weapons tests, even if its is for a limited period. The growing criticism and indignation about the French decision expressed in all EU states and in many other countries, is damaging to the stability and credibility of the European Union as a foreign political and security political actor. Therefore I would like to appeal to the French foreign minister to reconsider the decision", Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm Walen at the EU Foreign Ministers meeting, July 17th.
* Switzerland regrets that the French government is no longer willing to respect the international moratorium, with the exception of China, which is currently in place. The resumption of French testing in the South Pacific threatens the disarmament negotiations currently taking place in Geneva for a complete test ban. It is a deception for all non-nuclear weapons states which, like Switzerland, recently endorsed the NPT with the expectation that the nuclear powers would follow a complete ban on nuclear testing. This view was presented to the French Ambassador in talks on June 14th.[Letter to Greenpeace from Jacob Kellenberger, State Secretary 14th July 1995].
* According to an article in the Bangkok Post the Thai government said France's decision to resume nuclear testing in the South Pacific.. goes against the spirit of the international community's efforts to put a stop to nuclear proliferation. "We feel deceived and disappointed," said Acting Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan. "France's decision has destroyed the confidence of Thailand and of other nations." Thailand joins ranks with an increasing number of countries which have protested against France, among them Japan and the Pacific countries. Malaysia was the first of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to protest earlier this week.
* The Foreign Minister of Ukraine on Tuesday voiced deep concern over France's decision to resume nuclear tests on Pacific atolls. This step of France, taken soon after the conference of states- participants in the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, contradicts the provisions of the document. [tass 21st June 1995].
* The United States regrets this action. We continue to urge all of the nuclear powers, including France, to join in a global moratorium as we work to complete a Comprehensive Test Ban (CTB) Treaty at the earliest possible time. [The White House, Office of the Press Secretary,"Statement by the Press Secretary," June 13, 1995.]
* State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns reiterated that Washington "regrets the French decision to resume nuclear testing," and urged all nuclear powers to engage in a test moratorium until a test ban treaty is concluded. [AFP, 10th July 1995]
* A House subcommittee Thursday approved a resolution calling on France to refrain from any of its proposed nuclear tests in the South Pacific. [UPI, July 13th 1995].
* Viet Nam has also issued a statement of protest against the French decision, but we've not had a copy sent from their embassy yet.
European Union Council of Ministers Seven European Union States protested on Monday against France's decision to resume nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific and appealed to Paris to reconsider the controversial plans: "All felt this frustration and wanted to say it," Swedish Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm-Walen told a new conference. "I think that (France) felt the pressure very strongly". Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Luxembourg, Ireland and the Netherlands -- attending a regular meeting of EU foreign ministers --- all expressed dismay about France's decision. [Reuter, 17th July 1995]
* Parliament adopted a joint resolution, tabled by the Party of European Socialists, the European People's Party and the European Radical Alliance, which deplores the French decision to resume nuclear testing in the Pacific. European Parliament Session News Release, Document date, 12th July, 1995.
* "We in Western Europe have no right to inflict environmental terror thousands of miles from our shores," Socialist leader Pauline Green told Chirac in front of the assembly. [AP, 11th July 1995].
Algeria, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Zaire.
* The group of 21 is extremely disappointed and fully shares the concern expressed by the international community at the decisions recently taken by nuclear weapon state to suspend its moratorium and resume nuclear weapon testing soon, as well as at the nuclear test recently conducted by another nuclear weapon state.... this is a serious step back to the ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty and undermines its successful conclusion. [Presented by India on behalf of G21, 29/06/95].
"Globe EU also demand that parliamentarians worldwide urgently contact President Chirac urging him to reconsider his decision and refrain form carrying out nuclear tests and to establish testing techniques which will not be detrimental to the environment as are the foreseen explosions", [Global EU press release 13th July 1995].
* Denmark, on behalf of the five Nordic countries, issued a statement at the NPT Review and Extension Conference, calling for a continued moratorium: "The negotiations on a comprehensive test-ban treaty should be concluded as soon as possible. Until that has been accomplished all nuclear-weapon States, including China, must refrain from nuclear testing." (NPT/Conf. 1995/31, May 9th 1995].
Socialists Party Leader's Meeting
Cannes-Valbonne, 24th-25th June 1995.
Declaration on Nuclear Testing
In May of this year the Non-Proliferation Treaty was extended unconditionally and for an indefinite period, even though many non-nuclear weapons states, signatories to the Treaty , were critical about the role of the nuclear weapon states in upholding the non-proliferation regime.
A Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is widely regarded as a major contribution to strengthen the legitimacy of the NPT as it will curb the development of new nuclear arms.
The decision of the French Government to resume testing and to ignore the existing moratorium is an unnecessary blow to the non- proliferation regime.
The PES Leaders condemn this decision and call upon the French Government to change its mind. They ask all those States in possession of nuclear arms to confirm their renunciation of testing. They call upon all the governments to cooperate in an effort to reach an early agreement on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the strengthening of the peace.
* In Fiji, the head of the 15-nation South Pacific Forum instructed staff to boycott the French embassy's celebrations and join a protest march instead. [AFP. July 13 1995]