FOIA
SCIENCE AND WEAPONS DAILY REVIEW
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
0000832120
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
U
Document Page Count:
5
Document Release Date:
April 18, 2008
Sequence Number:
Case Number:
F-2002-00074
Publication Date:
August 6, 1984
File:
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 DOC_0000832120.pdf | 185.94 KB |
Body:
Directorate of IMteW=eiee (b) (1) (b) (3) rQ! cT APPROVED FOR RELE DATE: FEB 2008 6 AUGUST 1984 SW SWDR 84-151C V Australia t..-s released the results of a multinational inspection of the French nuclear test site at Mururoa Atoll; the results support the judgment that the French have been extremely safety conscious In their underground nuclear testing operations. F-1 6 AUGUST 1984 ii SW SWOR 84-151C 40 0 Australia has released the results of a multinational inspection of the French nuclear test site at Mururoa Atoll. France had invited scientists from New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea to tour the site Into last year. The Invitation was prompted by continuing charges by these countries of radioactive contamination of the environment resulting from French underground nuclear tests. The inspection team generally concluded that there was no evidence of any massive short-term release of particulate radioactive contaminants from current French underground tests. Although the team did find evidence of some venting of.gaseous and volatile fission products at the time of the tests, these releases apparently were not of a magnitude that would pose a significant health hazard. The team also concluded that the geological integrity of Mururoa Atoll had been significantly impaired and the damage could result in radioactive leakage after 500 to 1,000 years. Australia's Foreign Minister Bill Hayden stated that the results of the stu not affect Australia's opposition to nuclear testing by any nation. The French have been extremely safety conscious in their underground nuclear testing nparations. We beiieve the conclusions or the inspection team are accurate. There is no evidence that 3-y French underground nuclear test in the South Pacific has resulted in off-site contamination. An accident in 1979 resulted in some local contamination, but was the result of a chemical, rather than a nuclear, explosion. contamination has haan cleaned up, and was not detectable off site. Mururoa Atoll has been extensively damaged by nuclear testing, and the possibility of radioactive releases, although slight. is Increasing. Both the coral and the volcanic substructure of Mururoa are becoming increasingly fractured, providing possible paths of escape for trapped highly radioactive debris. The French have taken two qlrevs to alleviate the problem. This step has increased significantly the safety of their operations, as well as greatly expanded the rnurrmLr of available test locations. F-1 6 AUGUST 1984 9 SW SWDR 84-151C The French also are reactivating their underground test site at Fangataufa of the test operations. the inspection team will mitigate the protests. Despite the Pacific Basin protests, it is unlikely that the French will stop conducting nuclear tests. It also seems unlikely that the report by 6 AUGUST 1984 10 SW SWDR 84-151C 40
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