France takes heavy fire at U.N.

France was the target of a concerted attack in the United Nations during the 40th anniversary celebrations in October and November. Most of the small island nations, and countries as far away as Chile, joined in the condemnation of French nuclear testing at Moruroa, and its conduct of affairs in New Caledonia. In evitably, not all of the criticism was fair, or even, in the case of New Caledonia, well-informed.

But none could doubt its vehe mence.

Fiji’s prime minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was measured, but firm. “We value our rela tions wih France,” he said, and she has given so much to the world. But nothing can deflect us from complete, utter, out right condemnation of her dis regard for Pacific countries’ protests and, we believe, for their safety.”

Vanuatu’s prime minister, Father Walter Lini, who has

always been the most vehe ment of South Pacific Forum leaders on the French presence in New Caledonia, said: “The neighboring states of the South Pacific Forum support the right of the people of New Caledonia to determine their own future and to be an independent na tion. The foreign ministers of the non-aligned movement also support this right,” he said.

New Zealand’s deputy prime minister, Geoffrey Palmer, said the rights and aspirations of the Kanaks must be met “in the context of the multi-racial so ciety which New Caledonia has.” New Zealand regretted the violence and the loss of life which had occurred over the last year.

The Chilean representative said his country shared the concern over French nuclear testing which “represents a grave danger for people, the environment and natural re sources.”

Before this torrent of rhetoric the French foreign minister, Mr Dumas, remained calm. He told the General Assembly France would not compromise its security interests and would not renounce the “legitimate exer cise of its sovereignty whatever the cost.”

“Continuation of the tests is in fact necessary to maintain the credibility of its forces,” he said.

“The limitation of tests could only be understood and meaningful in the context of an eventual de-escalation by the most heavily armed powers.”

In a separate speech the French representative to the UN said France intended to respect the freely-expressed wishes of the inhabitants of New Caledonia. France had set in train arrangements for a vote on self-determination in New Caledonia, he said, and he cited the recent elections there as evidence of progress.