10 Aug 2005

French Polynesian test veterans want to increase presure on France

2:07 pm on 10 August 2005

The French Polynesian nuclear test veterans group, Mururoa e Tatou, says it plans to put more pressure on the French government next year to win compensation.

The group has been lobbying on behalf of hundreds former employees of the weapons testing sites in the Gambier islands who claim that their poor health is the result of exposure to nuclear fallout.

The head of the group, Roland Oldham, says despite evidence of health problems the French government continues to ignore them.

However, he says they're planning something big in July next year.

"The second of July next year will be the fortieth anniversary of the first bomb in Mururoa. We are planning to get a monument for the victims of the nuclear test. All these actions are some kind of pressure on the French government."