BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 2. The New York Times has published an article by correspondent Hannah Beech entitled Olympic Surfing Comes to a ‘Poisoned’ Paradise.
Nuclear tests in French Polynesia have caused serious health problems for people living in the region.
From 1966 to 1996, France conducted 193 nuclear tests in French Polynesia. These tests were conducted on the atolls of Mururoa and Fangataufa and created a serious danger for local residents. The impact of the tests was manifested not only at the moment of the direct explosion, but also in long-term radiation exposure.
Hannah Beech's article talks about the negative consequences of France's nuclear tests in French Polynesia, in particular, points out the extent of the damage caused to the population of Teahupo'o, located on the island of Tahiti, where the Olympic surfing competitions will be held in 2024. The article talks about the health consequences of nuclear tests for local residents, including minors, and how the French government has historically mitigated the health risks associated with nuclear testing.
It is noted that despite the fact that 50 years have passed since the July 1974 nuclear tests that resulted in high levels of radiation, the people of Teahupo'o are still struggling with the severe consequences of nuclear testing. Despite the fact that surfing competitions are currently taking place at the French Olympics, the region bears the marks of a painful history of radiation exposure.
The article details the health problems of the locals due to nuclear testing, including high rates of cancer and its negative effects. It is emphasized that the French government, responsible for the spread of radiation in the area, has created bureaucratic barriers to providing promised compensation to the population, who are still fighting to receive it.
According to one of the local municipal leaders, Roniu Tupana Poare, while the people of Teahupo'o are proud that France, the host of the Olympics, is bringing surfing to their area, they also feel resentment towards France for the pain caused by nuclear testing.
After decades of neglect by France, in 2010 the French government began the process of paying compensation, acknowledging the harmful effects of nuclear testing. However, the lack of support due to the bureaucratic process left those who applied frustrated. In the first years, only 11 victims were approved. After a wave of discontent, in 2023 only 108 people were officially declared radiation victims, but this is only a fraction of those affected by radiation. Polynesian officials estimate that about 10,000 people were exposed to high levels of nuclear radiation. But researchers say about 110,000 people were directly affected, with about 90 percent of the population exposed to nuclear radiation in the 1970s.
The article notes that the historical events surrounding nuclear testing were covered up by France, leaving today's youth with little information about the risks of past tests and their effects.
One of the sisters of the mayor of Teahupo'o, Ms Poare, who was diagnosed with cancer, was among those who applied for compensation. But Ms Poare says France's recognition of her as a victim does not cure her. While she is glad that the Olympic surfing competitions took place in Teahupo'o, she has said that she hates France because of the health problems that have periodically plagued her family.
Construction work ahead of the Olympics has caused extensive damage to coral reefs and wetlands.
A study has been conducted into the harmful effects of the tests at Mururoa and Fangataufa on the eastern edge of French Polynesia, and when French President Emmanuel Macron visited the area in 2021, he acknowledged that the state "owed" French Polynesia 193 nuclear tests. Representative of the Assembly of Polynesia Heinui Le Caille noted that justice is needed not only for the islands of French Polynesia affected by these events, but also for the Pacific Ocean as a whole.
President of French Polynesia Moetai Brotherson said that four members of his family had died from diseases caused by radiation. Out of fear that radiation could leak into the soil, his grandfather was buried in a lead-lined coffin. He noted that although the tests had been suspended, people were still dying from these complications, and the French state must take responsibility.
Founder of the Tavini party and former President of French Polynesia Oscar Temaru led the complaint against France at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. And he calls French Polynesia a victim of nuclear colonization. For this reason, he stressed the importance of achieving freedom.
