The Moruroa e Tatou nuclear test veterans association in French Polynesia has expressed surprise that a fresh compensation ruling is being appealed by the French state.
This follows an undertaking by the French defence minister, Herve Morin, that in such matters the state would no longer go ahead with a challenge but accept court rulings.
According to Tahitipresse, the head of Moruroa e Tatou says he wonders if the minister had lied or just used deceptive language.
As the French compensation bill is to go to the French senate, the association has questioned the significantly lower compensation being considered for victims in French Polynesia over that offered in France.
A French senator from Tahiti attending the association's briefing, Richard Tuheiava, has expressed support for the veterans and says there will be no negotiations over the Polynesians' suffering.
