TEL PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER, THE HON KIM
BEAZLEY MP
RAINBOW WARRIOR 11
The incident overnight in which the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior I1
was seized by the French Navy off Mururoa Atoll further illustrates the
serious damage being done to the international image of France as a result
of its decision to resume nuclear testing.
The root cause of this incident was the deplorable decision of the French
Government to resume testing in the South Pacific. Today's events should
send a message to the people of France that their Government has erred in
resuming the tests against the will of indigenous populations in the South
Pacific, and against the tide of international opinion.
The Australian Government is also concerned that excessive force may have
been used to seize the vessel, including the use of tear gas against unarmed
protesters. The French Ambassador to Australia was called into the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra this morning to provide information
and an assurance about the proper treatment and release of the Australians
on board. Initial reports indicated five Australians were on board the vessel,
including two media personnel.
PERTH JULY 1995 T : 31 J u 9 5 2 1 4 6 N o ' 1 , j 1
Keating, Paul
Period of Service: 20/12/1991 - 11/03/1996
Find more information on Keating, Paul on the:
Release Date:
10/07/1995
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
9663
Document:
00009663.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Keating, Paul John
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER, THE HON KIM BEAZLEY MP RAINBOW WARRIOR II
9663