[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2035-E2036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        LEGISLATION TO ENCOURAGE FRANCE TO HALT NUCLEAR TESTING

                                 ______


                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 1995

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that Congressman Faleomavaega 
and Congressman Stark have joined me in introducing legislation today 
to encourage the French Government to stop exploding nuclear test 
devices. Despite an international nuclear testing moratorium in effect 
since 1992 and the important progress made by the permanent extension 
of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, France has detonated two 
nuclear test devices at its facilities in the South Pacific. Additional 
tests are planned.
  This legislation is very straightforward: Until France's nuclear 
tests stop, the bill makes importing France's celebrated Beaujolais 
wine more expensive in the United States and therefore less palatable 
to American consumers.
  As this year's ripe French grapes are pressed into another vintage of 
France's prized Beaujolais wine, French nuclear testing in the South 
Pacific is reaping a bitter harvest: A harvest of worldwide criticism, 
protest, and censure. We are sending France a clear and simply message: 
To paraphrase Ernest and Julio Gallo ``You will sell no wine during 
testing time.''
  The bill increases the current import fee on Beaujolais by 800 
percent. All France needs to do to stop this year's Beaujolais from 
going down the tubes is to stop testing nuclear weapons.
  The French Government has pledged to sign a comprehensive test ban 
next year that will outlaw all future nuclear test explosions. 
President Chirac recently has said that France will shorten its planned 
series of test explosions in the South Pacific. In addition, last 
Friday, France promised to sign the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone 
Treaty by the first half of 1996. These steps are encouraging. However, 
France should take them now instead of making promises while continuing 
to blow up nuclear test devices on fragile coral reefs in the middle of 
the ocean.

[[Page E2036]]

  France's underground nuclear test explosions at these reefs produce 
radioactive materials that will, over time, leak into the surrounding 
environment. In fact, scientific studies conducted in the area around 
the test site have found evidence that this is already occurring. In 
1987, marine researcher Jacques Cousteau examined the reefs and 
collected water samples. In his report, Cousteau indicated that the 
water samples contained concentrations of the radioactive isotope 
cesium-134. Cousteau also noted that reefs are the ``worst possible 
choice' for locating a test site because of the potential for leakage 
of radioactive contamination.
  In addition to environmental damage, French nuclear testing also 
severely undermines ongoing efforts to conclude a CTB outlawing all 
tests for all time. French testing slows the momentum toward global 
nuclear disarmament which was achieved at the U.N. conference 
permanently extending the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  I am pleased that Congressman Faleomavaega and Congressman Stark have 
joined me in this effort, and I hope that France listens to the message 
we are sending today and stops testing immediately.

                          ____________________