THE ANTI-NUCLEAR and proindependence mobilisations in Tahiti on June 29, July 14 and September 2-3, and the uprising that followed the French explosion show the depth of resistance to the testing in the Pacific.
Oscar Temaru, the leader of pro independence Tavini Huiraatira said "the majority of the Maohi people refuse the resumption of nuclear testing in our backyard. We have organ. ised the biggest demonstration in the street to show that we are the people of this country, not France."
Within two weeks of Chirac's decision to explode the bomb in the Pacific's "French territory" some 80 organisations—political parties. trades unions, environmental groups. NGOs—have agreed a common appeal to demand and end to nuclear tests and French sienature of the Comprehensive test ban Treaty.
The Australian goverment are bending over backwards to reassure the French government that it does not oppose its prescace in tie racue The Minister for Pacific affairs said "It is absolutely no part of our agenda to boot the French out of the South Pacific. There is absolutely no reason why we would want the rench our...and plenty of reason why we would want them to stay."
But it is impossible to separate France's nuclear testing from its colonial role. The nuclear programme is only made possible by its domination of the region.
Tahiti
France first occupied Tahiti in 1842 and, after a bitter guerilla war. eventually subdued the resistance. ment looks back for inspiration to the nationalist Pouvanaa Tetuaapua Oopa. In 1947 he led militant demonstrations against French privileges. Uprising in Tahiti was prompled by French nuc/ear test After a spell of imprisonment he was elected to the French lower house with mass support. Two years Tahitian Peopie (RDPT) won a massive majority in the Territorial Assembly.
After 1958 the RDPT began to campaign on the slogan "Tahiti for the Tahitians... vote NO so that the enslaving yoke will be quickly removed from around our necks"
After divisions opened up in the oreanisation Pouvansa was banned from the radio and, using his Algerian emergency powers, De Gaulle sacked the entire cabinet. For Pouvanaa, eight years in jail and 15 in exile followed.
Dependence
Once the opposition was subdued France was in a position to begin its testing programme. To establish Tamiu s ocpcnocnce on rrance the economy of the region was transformed. Within a decade Tahiti was importing 80 per cent of its food. Military bases and tourist hotels were constructed denying precious land to the indigenous population.
As Ficoch historian Jean Ches. neaux comments. "The whole of the South Pacific has suffered the same phenomenon-the imposition of a consumer society more like Hawaii than Europe, which has left 20 per cent of the population below the poverty line."