[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 31, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S572-S573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       FRANCE'S CESSATION OF NUCLEAR TESTING IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, it is with a great sense of relief and hope 
that I rise today to comment on the announcement by French President 
Jacques Chirac that France has concluded its nuclear weapons testing 
program for good and will close its nuclear testing center in French 
Polynesia. 

[[Page S573]]

  Like most people throughout the Pacific islands and Asia, the 
citizens of Hawaii were angered by the six underground nuclear 
explosions at Mururoa and Fangataufa atolls conducted by France. The 
threat to the environment and public health posed by the numerous 
blasts over the years is real and ongoing. This week, an article in the 
Washington Post documented French acknowledgement that radioactive 
materials have leaked into the sea surrounding the atolls. These 
reports confirm claims made by international organizations that French 
nuclear testing has weakened the coral atolls and vented radioactive 
materials into the Pacific. Regrettably, France has not allowed 
independent inquiry and verification at the test sites.
  The global outcry against the resumption of French nuclear testing 
has given renewed vigor to the drive for an international moratorium on 
nuclear testing and the completion of a comprehensive test ban treaty. 
International protests extended well beyond the nations of the Pacific; 
the French action drew criticism in the United States and objections 
from most members of the European Union. The Senate and the Congress 
joined the international chorus of concern following President Chirac's 
announcement last summer that France would end its testing moratorium. 
Last session, the Congress adopted a sense of the Senate resolution I 
authored calling on France and China to abide by the international 
moratorium on nuclear test explosions and refrain from conducting 
underground nuclear tests in advance of a comprehensive test ban 
treaty.
  Mr. President, the definitive end to nuclear testing by France is 
welcome news. It comes after six unnecessary and ill-advised nuclear 
explosions. However, France's rejoining the global moratorium, pledge 
to sign the Treaty of Rarotonga, and commitment to pursue a zero-option 
test ban treaty presents an opportunity to conclude a permanent nuclear 
test ban treaty and advance nuclear nonproliferation. The challenge we 
face is to reach agreement among the nations participating in the 
United Nations Conference on Disarmament. In his State of the Union 
message, President Clinton called for the signing of a truly 
comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty this year. This ambitious 
timetable underlines the President's strong leadership in the effort to 
halt the nuclear arms race, advance nuclear disarmament, and ensure 
peace and security for all people.
  President Chirac's intention to play an active role in concluding an 
international nuclear testing ban should add momentum to efforts now 
underway in Geneva, Switzerland aimed at resolving remaining 
disagreements over the text of the treaty. We should encourage all 
positive contributions toward nuclear disarmament, even those that come 
from recent converts to the cause.
  Mr. President, the state visit and address to Congress by the 
President of the Republic of France has prompted denunciations and 
calls for action by many citizens and elected officials. This 
understandable reaction reflects the anger, pain, and offense felt by 
the people of the Pacific islands over the arrogance and insensitivity 
with which their objections have been dismissed. This singular 
opportunity offers President Chirac a forum to embark on a new course 
to advance nuclear nonproliferation. I encourage President Chirac to 
pursue reconciliation with the Pacific island peoples and nations. 
France should not delay its pledge to sign the protocols of the Treaty 
of Rarotonga, which declare and establish the South Pacific as a 
nuclear-free zone. I also call on President Chirac to permit 
independent inspection and evaluation of the test sites and the lagoon 
and sea surrounding the atolls for environmental damage and radiation 
leakage.
  The political and environmental damage wrought by the recently 
concluded tests cannot be undone. However, the end of the final series 
of underground nuclear testing by France offers an opportunity and 
challenge for our countries to cooperate on the successful conclusion 
and approval of a comprehensive test ban treaty this year. It is with 
this spirit of hope that I greet the state visit by the President of 
the Republic of France.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Jeffords). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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