15 Mar 2006

New test veterans group in French Polynesia proud of legacy

8:24 pm on 15 March 2006

A new association of nuclear weapons test veterans which is being formed in French Polynesia says the former workers are proud to have taken part in the tests as they also served to advance medical research.

The head of the Tamarii Mururoa organisation, Yannick Lowgreen, says its members disagree with recent claims that the blasts in Mururoa affected all inhabitants.

He says not all illnesses can be blamed on the tests.

Mr Lowgreen told the news agency Tahitipresse that all the same they would like former workers to be given a health check.

He also says the test sites should be examined by the International Atomic Energy Agency.