[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           OPPOSES FRENCH GOVERNMENT NUCLEAR TESTING PROGRAM

                                 ______


                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 1996

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I wish to voice my strong disapproval with 
the French Government's nuclear testing program. I join with many of my 
colleagues--and most the world community--in protesting the detonation 
of six French nuclear weapons in the South Pacific. That is why I am 
joining the congressional boycott of the French President's visit to 
Congress.
  French President Jacques Chirac will appear February 1 before a joint 
session of Congress. I can not of good conscience attend. France and 
the United States have a proud relationship of cooperation extending 
back to the beginning of our Nation. However, France's conduct in the 
South Pacific can not be justified. Exploding nuclear weapons in 
pursuit of further weapons development contradicts the view of 175 
nations--including France and the United States--who signed the Nuclear 
Non-Proliferation Treaty. It also needlessly endangers the environment 
and people of the region.
  Just last week, France acknowledged the presence of radioactive 
iodine in the lagoon near the Mururoa test site. Despite their 
declaration that the tests blast are perfectly safe, we have no way to 
know if this is true. Since the French Government refuses to allow 
independent assessment of the environmental impact of these nuclear 
explosions, I must remain suspicious. Are the people who live in the 
South Pacific threatened by nuclear poison in their region of the 
world? What will the ecological and human health threats 10, 20, or a 
100 years from now?
  Although the Clinton administration has officially denounced the 
French nuclear testing program, its actions hardly match its rhetoric. 
I urge the White House to put real pressure on the Chirac government. 
Let us not forget our responsibility in this matter: the United States 
has long supported the French nuclear weapons program.
  I must take special exception to the U.S. decision to allow French 
military aircraft to flying to the South Pacific test site the use of 
U.S. airspace. How can the world take seriously a United States 
criticism of the French nuclear weapons testing program when the United 
States refuse to take even the most basic action to resist the French 
action. The only assurance Congress can get from the U.S. State 
Department is that no nuclear materials are being transported 
``according to the best of our knowledge.'' This hardly represents 
strong scrutiny by our Government.
  Now that the French Government has ended its series of nuclear 
detonations, I call on President Chirac to firmly commit his nation to 
end all future test. At the very least, France should declare the 
permanent closing of the South Pacific test site. France should also 
clean up the nuclear mess if left behind and allow independent 
monitoring the area. It is the least they can do for the South Pacific 
peoples who will have to live with the legacy of decades of nuclear 
weapons testing.
  The rationale for nuclear testing ran out years ago. If the world 
governments won't stop this cold war relic now, then when? I look 
forward to the recognition by France that their ongoing nuclear weapons 
testing program was simply wrong. Perhaps we can now move toward a 
international ban on all future such explosive tests. The United States 
must continue to press for a comprehensive ban on all such future 
nuclear test explosions. And France must become an active player in 
these negotiations.
  It is my hope that a change in the behavior of France's Government 
will allow me to participate in Mr. Chirac's next visit to Congress. I 
also look forward to a successful conclusion to the ongoing 
comprehensive nuclear talks so the world can take an important step 
toward nuclear disarmament.

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