Скачать или смотреть FRANCE: PARIS: ANTI-NUCLEAR BOMB TEST DEMONSTRATION

(1 Jul 1995) English/Nat

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Paris Saturday demanding the French government stop the planned nuclear tests in the Pacific.

The rally follows President Jacques Chirac's decision to resume nuclear testing off Mururoa Atoll from September.

However despite increased protests throughout the country Chirac's government is unlikely to halt the forthcoming nuclear tests in the South pacific.

Over three thousand people from all over the country gathered in the Place de la Bastille for the march. The rally was organised by the environmentalist group Greenpeace together with around 60 other organisations throughout France.

The nuclear testing issue which has fast become a political hot potato for President Jacques Chirac.

Despite today being the start of the holiday season in France, protesters - of all shapes and sizes - braved the heat and marched through the city centre calling for a halt on all nuclear tests.

The rally was supported by environmentalists from Australia and New Zealand. Today's protest however is probably too little too late to reverse the government's decision.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

Well, I hope this demonstration will make a difference - of course that's why we're here to try and make a difference but Chirac is going to be very, very unlikely I'd say to change his mind but at least it may make a difference for the future after these eight trials which we'd love to have cancelled of course.
SUPERCAPTION: Protestor

Some protesters questioned the reasoning behind France's resumption of nuclear testing.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
We want peace. Jacques Chirac wants the nuclear tests because he thinks to be the best in the world we have to show the rest of the world we get the power nuclear. I think it's really stupid.
SUPERCAPTION: Protestor

The seemingly irreversible decision by the French government to begin a series of eight underwater nuclear trials in September did not deter today's demonstrators in Paris though.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
I don't think that this demonstration can change the president's decision by any way. This demonstration or any other demonstration or any international pressure. This decision has been taken. It is perceived as absolutely necessary so it can't be turned around.
SUPERCAPTION: Camille Grand, International Strategic Relations Institute

Sunday (2 July) is the 29th anniversary of the first nuclear tests carried out by France in the Pacific.

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