SYNERGY ONLINE:  Bulletins and News Briefs from
           The Canadian Society for International Health
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Physicians for Global Survival Canada - Announcement
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On June 13th, the newly-elected president of France, Jacques
Chirac, announced his government's intention to break the
moratorium on nuclear weapons testing and resume testing in the
South Pacific.  Shortly thereafter, the French government
conducted its first of eight scheduled tests.
 
France's decision, and subsequent action, has outraged much of the
international community.   The government claims - after 204
nuclear tests - it still needs an additional eight tests to both
ensure the safety and reliability of its arsenal and to develop
computer simulation techniques to certify nuclear weapons in a
laboratory environment.  In reality, however, it wants to develop
new nuclear warheads for submarine-launched and cruise missiles.
And this after the end of the Cold War and the absence of any
military threat to France.
 
Furthermore, it states that underground nuclear testing at Mururoa
will cause 'strictly no pollution'.  Yet, there are indications
that past nuclear test explosions in the South Pacific have
destroyed coral reefs, thus leaking hazardous radioactive bomb
materials into the ocean and the food chain.
 
Regrettably France is not alone in pursuing a testing programme.
The Chinese government has conducted two nuclear tests since the
beginning of May.  It claims it needs more nuclear tests because
its programme lags behind those of the other nuclear powers.
 
Opposition to the French government's decision has been
widespread, and not surprisingly, strong from governments and
organizations in the South Pacific.  In French Polynesia there
have been mass demonstrations and riots.  In the Pacific states
such as Fiji, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand a general
boycott of French consumer products is in effect.  In comparison,
however, opposition to Chinese testing has been minimal.
 
To pressure France to stop its testing programme, the governments
of Australia and New Zealand have banned visits of French naval
ships and aircraft, frozen military cooperation and put all arms
purchases and ministerial contacts with France under review.  Like
the South Pacific states, the NGOs are encouraging people to join
a boycott of French consumer goods ranging from wine, cheese,
cosmetics and fashions to cars and holidays in France.
 
The Canadian government has been relatively silent on the issue of
nuclear testing.  It is rumoured that the government may not have
taken a stronger stand on French nuclear testing  because the
French government threatened to intervene in the Quebec referendum
if Canada did.
 
Physicians for Global Survival-Canada (PGS) is supporting the
international consumer boycott of French and Chinese goods  and
distributing 'Stop Nuclear Testing' stickers and sample letters to
President Chirac, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Premier
Li-Peng.
 
In addition,  PGS has helped to form the Canadian Coalition
Against Nuclear Testing (CANT).  CANT represents a number of
national and regional Canadian non-governmental organizations
concerned with the environment, health and peace.  The coalition
aims to raise public awareness about nuclear testing and to
educate the public and the media that testing is a symptom of a
larger problem, the existence of nuclear weapons.
 
For further information on nuclear testing, stickers or form
letters contact:
 
Physicians for Global Survival Canada 170A Booth Street Ottawa  ON
K1R 7W1 Tel: 613-233-1982  Fax: 613-233-9028 E-mail:
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Please note that the CSIH Board is expressing its concern regarding
the French nuclear testing and is providing information to members
that was prepared by Physicians for Global Survival Canada.
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