Скачать или смотреть TAHITI: PAPEETE: RIOTS AFTER FRENCH NUCLEAR TEST UPDATE

(7 Sep 1995) English/Nat

The French nuclear explosion in the Mururoa Atoll has ignited a fire storm of popular protest in nearby Tahiti.

Tahiti's international airport was closed after a day of running battles between stone-wielding demonstrators and police.

Rioters also went on the rampage in downtown Papeete burning several buildings and looting shops.

The protest began peaceably with demonstrators staging a sit-in on the runways to prevent flights leaving.

They sang songs and held up pro-independence and anti-nuclear signs.

Tempers began to fray when riot police appeared carrying batons, shields and tear-gas launchers.

When the protesters refused to disperse police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd.

Things turned ugly when the protesters tried to storm an Air Tahiti plane bound for Los Angeles and Paris.

Around 30 demonstrators fought with police at the foot of the aircraft, but were prevented from boarding the plane.

The Tahitians' message to the French was unequivocal: "enough is enough".

SOUNDBITE:
The Polynesian people have been pacifists - and calm - for many years, for 17 years, and we've had enough of it, we can't go on any more. If the other nations can't help us then we're going to have to go out onto the streets with our bare hands.
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Ortas - Campaign Director of French Polynesia Independence Party

The crowd had already set fire to part of the terminal and missiles were raining in from every direction.

At one point demonstrators hijacked a front loader and rammed it through the front of the airport.

This passenger was hurt in the crossfire as rioters kept up a barrage of rocks and riot police responded with tear gas grenades.

As the airport cafe was smashed up and its shelves looted, masked demonstrators ominously threatened to single out French people.

Tourists on their way out of the country were trapped while fighting raged all around them.

It should have been the end of a holiday in paradise, but for passengers trying to fly out to Paris, Los Angeles and New Zealand it turned into hell.

SOUNDBITE: (vox pops)

(Man) Well, more annoyed than really frightened. You know, we had never really been in anything like this. So I was somewhat concerned...I was surprised that it was getting that violent. I thought it might be a more peaceful type demonstration.
SUPER CAPTION: Tourist

(Woman) When I got off the plane I didn't know if the next step that I took the plane would blow up behind me because I had no idea what the capabilities are here. I know that if we had been in America we would all have been dead.
SUPER CAPTION; Tourist

AT least 13 people were injured in the clashes, including two policeman who are said to be ina serious condition.

The police finally managed to drive the rioters out of the airport.

But the protesters' frenzy continued unabated.

At sunset hundreds of protesters continued rioting in downtown Papeete, smashing shop windows, looting clothing stores and burning several buildings.

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