The decision is not surprising as the Socialist Party stated in their election campaign that if elected there would be no change in French foreign policy.

What Mitterand is interested in doing is redefining France's role in Nato and reorientating Nato to be more a European force than a puppet of the United States. France quite rightly believes that the American Government won't risk the annihilation of the United States in order to save Europe. Consequently, France wishes to be independent of the US and has traditionally developed its own weapons-including nuclear armaments.

The Colonial Role

To safeguard its own defence France is prepared to exploit its Pacific colonies, which are important both as sources of income (tourism and agriculture) and militarily (atomic bomb testing). The French Government has shown a total disregard for the people on nearby islands - where there have been cases of radiation sickness as well as deaths.

The new 'Socialist' Government seems set to continue the policy of treating colonies as mere play things, and ignoring their struggles for independence. Their continued testing in the Pacific shows French intransigence in the face of condemnation by the International Court and countries in the affected area.

The SRC motion condemning continued French testing was a timely move to re-emphasise our support for the independence struggles of third world countries, as well as support for a nuclear weapon free Pacific.

Paulette Keating