Publication Laka-library:
White Paper on French Nuclear Tests
| Author | Ministère des Affaires Étrangeres |
| Date | June 1973 |
| Classification | 4.26.8.00/01 (PACIFIC - FRENCH TESTING AREA) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
PREAMBLE In the absence of the genuine world disarmament measures that the French government has vainly advocated and will continue to advocate, measures which would, under international supervision, assure a ban on nuclear arms and their manufacture as well as the destruction of existing stockpiles, France is pursuing her policy of defense; given the present state of world armaments, the development of a nuclear armament is essential for French security and independence. A very small number of nuclear tests have been carried out at the Pacific Tests Center. Every precaution has been taken to ensure that these tests cause no harm to people, or to the world's fauna and flora. The technical and scientific information which has been compiled in this document explains why we are convinced of the harmlessness of these tests. Moreover these tests do not contravene any provision of existing international law. Therefore the French government cannot accept the argument presented at the International Court of Justice by the governments of Australia and New Zealand. There is no justification for evaluating the French tests on the basis of new rulings unknown to positive law and fundamentally different from those which were applied to the atmospheric tests effected by other countries. Against those who think they can restrict the freedom of a state by a series of campaigns based on uncertain or fallacious arguments, the French government will set not only the clear conscience it has of national interests but also facts which have not been refuted. For those who are not swayed by emotion and for those who do not want to be swayed by campaigns which challenge objectivity, this White Paper will provide useful information.
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