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Polynesian nuclear workers criticise French compensation offer | Medical Association for Prevention of War

Polynesian nuclear workers criticise French compensation offer
Medical Association for the Prevention of War 13/12/2008 French nuclear veterans have strongly criticised a proposed new law covering compensation for survivors of French nuclear testing in Algeria and French Polynesia. The law would cover former nuclear workers and military personnel whose health was affected by French nuclear tests – but survivors say few people would be eligible.
the announcement has been greeted with scorn by civilian and military personnel who staffed the nuclear tests sites from 1960 until 1996. They argue that the proposed legislation ignores a number of key concerns that have been central to their lobbying over the last decade, and has been designed to replace more comprehensive laws. They argue that almost no survivors would be eligible for compensation, and that thresholds for radiation exposure are well above accepted international safety standards.

For many years, there have been repeated statements by government ministers and officials that no one was adversely affected by radiation exposure during the era of French nuclear testing. In Algeria, France conducted four atmospheric tests and 13 underground tests (1960 – 1965). In French Polynesia, 46 atmospheric and 147 underground tests were held at Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls (1966 – 1996).

Polynesian nuclear workers criticise French compensation offer | Medical Association for Prevention of War

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December 15, 2008 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment