13/HM-

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

3rd June, 1971

FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTS

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Leslie Bury, commented today on

sorts that the French Government intends to begin on Friday, June  L 4, a further

ies of nuclear tests in the area of the South Pacific Ocean.

Mr. Bury said:

"The Australian Government has in the past expressed its strong opposition

to the conduct of atmospheric nuclear tests, particularly in the Pacific

area. The Australian Government has made it clear that it greatly

regrets the carrying out of these tests by France.

In relation to the current series of French nuclear tests, a protest

Note was handed to the French Embassy in Canberra on 20th April this

year.

The Government of Australia has supported efforts in the United Nations

to conclude a comprehensive test ban treaty which would suspend nuclear

weapons testing. Australia is a party to the partial test ban treaty

of 1963 which it would like to see universally applied and supported.

The resumption of nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere in the

Pacific area, without regard to the deep concern that this arouses

among the people of the area, is a matter of considerable regret to the

Government of Australia.

The Atomic Veapons Tests Safety Committee has a monitoring programme

in relation to the French tests, and will be keeping the National

Radiation Advisory Committee and the Government informed of the

results obtained."

