[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 110 (Monday, July 10, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H6704-H6705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     FRANCE NEEDS TO JOIN CONTINUING MORATORIUM ON NUCLEAR TESTING

  (Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, French navy commandos seized 
the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior 

[[Page H 6705]]

II, thwarting its attempt to land protesters on a South Pacific atoll 
where France plans to conduct nuclear tests.
  With its latest commando raid, France has demonstrated once again 
that they will go to whatever lengths necessary to restart their 
nuclear testing program. Firing tear gas at 11 people, including 
journalists, and acting like thugs, is not the behavior that behooves a 
nation which fancies itself the epitome of civilization.
  The problem is that France is digging itself into a bigger hole than 
the one they created in Muroroa in the face of universal opposition. 
Since President Chirac announced on June 13 that France will resume its 
nuclear test program with eight tests French officials have ignored 
world opinion.
  But this do as we say, not what we do attitude ignores France's 
responsibility as a nuclear power. France needs to join with other 
major powers in continuing a moratorium on nuclear testing before, not 
after, it conducts tests in the South Pacific. Instead of boarding the 
ships of protesters, it is time for France to get back on board the 
nuclear test ban.

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