SYNERGY ONLINE: Bulletins and News Briefs from The Canadian Society for International Health [log in to unmask] ================================================================== Physicians for Global Survival Canada - Announcement ----------------------------------------------------- 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: [log in to unmask] 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. ================================================================== SYNERGY ONLINE is an online update to _SYNERGY_, the quarterly newsletter of the Canadian Society for International Health. For more information contact [log in to unmask] ================================================================== This document is available, with full formating and accents, from: Ce document est egalement disponible, avec les accents et la mise en page: http://hpb1.hwc.ca:8500/syn_indx.html ==================================================================