French Nuclear Compensation Law

Tahiti welcomes French nuclear compo law amendment

The National Assembly unanimously voted to amend the law, drawn up by Herve Morin when he was the defence minister in 2009.

Most claims for compensation for ill health because of the weapons tests have been rejected which prompted sustained calls for the law to be amended.

Mr Fritch said the Assembly decision marks a historic day and a relief.

He has hailed the territory's parliamentarians in Paris for their work and praised the tireless efforts of the nuclear test veterans organisations and the Maohi Protestant Church.

New French nuclear compo stance welcomed

The French joint law commission decided unanimously to remove the term negligible risk from the nuclear compensation law.

The main test veterans organisation Moruroa e Tatou says the decision is a victory but as the victims have been disappointed so often, it is now to be seen how the new position will be applied.

The head of the organisation Roland Oldham has told Radio Tahiti 1 that the French state has allowed to let things slide and mocked the victims for a long time.

Further concern over French nuclear compo law

A decree is about to be approved in Paris that will amend the 2010 law by loosening the criteria for claims to be accepted.

Tuaiva has asked the French government to reconsider compensation claims which had been rejected - a call already made by two other Assembly members.

Tuiava's move comes a day before the appeal court is due to rule on hisĀ embezzlement case.