950826

French PM hits at

N-tests critics

PARIS: French Prime Minister Alain Juppe hit out Saturday at European critics of France's decision to resume nuclear testing, saying Paris's nuclear deterrent was vital for Europe's security.

Writing in the conservative daily Le Figaro, Juppe said the hostile reactions from Pacific countries and anti-nuclear groups to the plans for a new series of tests from next month on Mururoa Atoll in French Polynesia were predictable.

Juppe said the planned tests, which France says are essential to perfect techniques of future laboratory simulation, had been stopped in 1992 when the previous socialist president Francois Mitterrand followed Russia and the United States in declaring a moratorium.

Mitterrand's neo-Gaullist successor Jacques Chirac brought down a storm of criticism when he announced he was ending the moratorium shortly after he was elected in May.

Juppe said the tests would be the last, enabling France "to continue to dispose in the long term of reliable and safe weapons without having to carry out further tests, thanks in particular to laboratory simulation."

"France is convinced that the Union would not survive the abandoning of its responsibilities in the field of security and defence," Juppe said.

"There is a great temptation to close one's eyes to long term threats and rely on the American alliance for our security. A strong and respected Europe cannot be built on that basis."

Juppe perorated: "It is the honour of any leader worthy of the name to tell this truth to his people, even when the dominant stream of opinion finds this reminder disagreeable.

"France, through the voice of Jacques Chirac, has said it. In making sure of its deterrent capability, it renders a service to peace and to Europe."-AFP