French Pacific?
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
Talk of a Base in New Caledonia A-Bombs For The French Pacific?
A Noumea political news
sheet, Avenir Caledonien, has
reported that there is consider able talk in political circles about the creation of an atomic base in New Caledonia. r[E article says it is quite possible that France can hold atomic tests in its South Pacific Territories.
It says that the referendum held in December on the future of the Wallis and Futuna Islands could be connected with the rumours of a possible atomic base.
The article also mentions a projected dispatch of some 7,000 troops to New Caledonia.
PlM’s Noumea correspondent says that the director of the newsheet is the Deputy for New Caledonia.
Mr. Maurice Lenormand and that “he should know what he is publishing”.
The correspondent adds, however, that the rumour about a large body of troops arriving in New Caledonia has been on and off for some years, and there would be great surprise if there were any foundation in it. New Caledonia could not house that number of troops at present.
Meanwhile the French Navy has announced that it is now illegal to photograph installations at its base at Point Chaleix, in Noumea Harbour, and also any navy air installations on the Tontouta Air port.