France’s Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has expended tens of thousands of euros in response to revelations surrounding the severe impact of its nuclear tests in French Polynesia during the 1960s and 1970s. This comes as a parliamentary inquiry prepares to release its report on the tests, which have faced significant criticism recently.
Documents obtained by the investigative outlet Disclose indicate that the CEA orchestrated a campaign to discredit findings that suggest the nation has long underestimated the consequences of these nuclear tests. A 2021 book titled “Toxique” highlighted the alarming reality of France’s nuclear operations, asserting that the extent of contamination affected many more individuals than previously acknowledged.
Following the publication of “Toxique,” the CEA distributed 5,000 copies of a booklet titled “Nuclear tests in French Polynesia: why, how and with what consequences?” at a cost exceeding €90,000 (approximately $102,000). The CEA also sent a four-member team to French Polynesia to engage with local leaders and media, aiming to provide what they termed “scientific responses” to allegations made in “Toxique.”
The scrutiny surrounding the CEA’s actions revived public interest and official attention, prompting visits from French President Emmanuel Macron. In these discussions, Macron recognized France’s “debt” to the affected region. Investigations from “Toxique” indicated that a single test in 1974 may have exposed as many as 110,000 individuals to harmful radiation levels, qualifying them for compensation if they developed certain cancers.
Despite these findings, the CEA has historically downplayed these radiation levels, impacting the legitimacy of compensation claims. By 2023, fewer than half of the 2,846 claims submitted were deemed admissible.
The upcoming parliamentary inquiry, which has summoned over 40 politicians, military personnel, scientists, and victims, aims to uncover the social, economic, and environmental ramifications of the tests. It will examine whether France intentionally concealed the true extent of the contamination.
While CEA’s military division has denied these allegations, France’s nuclear safety body has acknowledged uncertainties regarding the CEA’s calculations, confirming it was challenging to prove that individuals received radiation doses lower than the compensation threshold.
The CEA asserted that its booklet aimed to inform the Polynesian populace about the tests and their impacts, claiming a constant concern for the health of local inhabitants. Former CEA/DAM head Vincenzo Salvetti clarified that the booklet should not be seen as an official rebuttal to “Toxique.”
This issue exemplifies the ongoing struggle for accountability and justice in the Pacific, resonating with similar experiences in Kiribati and the Marshall Islands where communities affected by historical nuclear tests are advocating for recognition and reparations. The findings from the parliamentary inquiry could serve as a stepping stone for meaningful dialogue on nuclear justice and the rights of victims in the region, fostering hope for better transparency and support moving forward.
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