PAPEETE, French Polynesia– France has signed a deal with French Polynesia to spend over 80 million US dollars to clean up Hao, an atoll that was a key military base during the thirty years of nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific.  France quit nuclear weapons testing in 1996 but continues to be blamed by veterans for failing to compensate those who suffered poor health because of exposure to the nuclear blasts.

The agreement was signed by the French high commissioner in Papeete, Adolphe Colrat, the French Polynesian vice-president, Jules Ienfa, and the mayor of Hao.  Mr. Colrat told RFO radio that the process will take seven years and the financial commitment will be ten times that of what has been dispersed to Hao so far.  He added that this shows France keeps its commitments and will help the development of Hao.

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand International – France to spend US $80m to clean up Hao after end of nuclear weapons tests – 09 January 2009