SECOND FRENCH NUCLEAR BOMB

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31117, 21 July 1966, Page 15

SECOND FRENCH NUCLEAR BOMB

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) PAPEETE (Tahiti), July 20. France exploded a nuclear bomb today, dropping it from a plane over the Pacific atoll of Mururoa.

The test was the second of the current French series at Mururoa, about 800 miles south-east of Tahiti. In Paris, a communique said the bomb exploded in the lower atmosphere without incident at 3.5 a.m.. New Zealand time, Wednesday. The dawn test brought to an end the first phase of the series, which officials have said will consist of five explosions plus a “safety test” The last explosion is expected to be witnessed by President de Gaulle in the first half of September when he visits the Pacific region. Doped Bomb This last explosion is expected to be a “doped” atomic bomb containing thermonuclear material to augment its power. The blast had been expected last Thursday, to coincide with the July 14 anniversary of the storming of the Bastille 177 years ago. There was no indication of the strength of the device exploded. France is not expected to try testing a hydrogen bomb before next year, or in 1968, when the next series will take place. The exact time Is to be

decided after tills series of tests. The test was the first time France has dropped an atomic bomb from a plane. Not Signed France has not signed the 1963 partial nuclear test ban treaty, which prohibits explosions in the atmosphere, outer space and underwater, but not underground blasts. French officials have hinted that one of the tests in the present series might be under the sea. Officials said the first bomb exploded was in the lower medium range, roughly equivalent to that dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. In Wellington, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said the second nuclear test in the French series was all the more regrettable in the light of the unfavourable world reaction to the first test. He commented in a statement: “One can only reiterate our opposition to any nuclear testing in the atmosphere—particularly in the South Pacific—and express the profound hope that progress will be made towards the cessation of all testing and the settlement of other disarmament problems.”