The Hague--21 August 1995--Greenpeace today welcomed the fact that New Zealand has now formally filed an application to the World Court in The Hague to try to stop the series of nuclear tests by France at Moruroa.
The application was filed formally this morning. New Zealand is asking for an interim order against France to stop testing pending a full hearing later in the year.
"Greenpeace welcomes New Zealand Government's application today," said Simon Carroll of Greenpeace International. The application re-opens a 1973 case by New Zealand against France to stop nuclear testing. This case, which was largely based on pollution from nuclear testing, was suspended in 1974 when France decided to take its tests underground.
At that time, the court said that while it did not need to rule on the case, since France waslegally bound by its announcements that it would stop atmospheric nuclear testing, New Zealand and Australia, which had filed a similar case, could re-open the case at any time in the future. Since the early 1970's, more information has emerged of the threat to the marine environment from underground testing which made it essential for New Zealand to reopen its case.
"We now call on Governments around the world to formally support
New Zealand's case in the World Court," said Simon Carroll. "It
is in the fundamental interest of all countries that the
international court rules against radioactive pollution of the
marine environment. All countries should do what they can to
help this outcome."
For information
Europe time zones:
Simon Carroll Greenpeace International ++31 20 523 6288
or
Cindy Baxter Greenpeace
Communications ++44 171 833 0600
In New Zealand time zones:
Michael Szabo +64 9 377 6128
Duncan Currie +64 21 632 335