M108

7 September 1995

PAPEETE PROTESTS

The Australian Government is seriously concerned at the violent turn taken by protests in Papeete and strongly urges both the French authorities and protesters to exercise restraint. Violent and destructive behaviour detracts from the central and legitimate message, which is that nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific - or anywhere else - is indefensible.

It cannot be denied, however, that with these protests, France has really reaped what it has sown. Action on this scale, and of this character, would never have occurred if the French Government had not made the decision to resume testing in the first place: its intensity over the last 24 hours is a measure of the depth of feeling aroused by the French Government's resumption of nuclear testing. It also reflects the frustration felt by many people - not just in Papeete but throughout the world - at the French Government's disdain for the views of the peoples of the South Pacific.

Australia's concerns are with the French Government's nuclear testing in French Polynesia. The political status of France's South Pacific territories is a matter to be worked out between the French Government and the peoples of those territories in accordance with accepted UN principles.

The safety of Australians is being monitored by the consular officials sent to Papeete by the Government. There is currently no information to suggest that Australians have been hurt or caught up in the violence.

MELBOURNE