The French high commissioner in French Polynesia, Richard Didier, has threatened a local nuclear test veterans organisation with legal action over its comments about the clean-up of Hao atoll.
The group Moruroa e tatou last week accused France of nuclear racism for hiring 29 locals to work at the Hao site, saying it was contaminated from equipment used by the military during its nuclear weapons tests.
But Mr Didier has dismissed the accusation, adding that repeating lies won't amount to being the truth.
He says the previous French Polynesian government was given defence ministry documents to show that the Hao area in question is safe.
Moruroa e tatou said according to documents it has obtained the area is unsafe and only specialists should work there.
