presentation on nuclear testing in the pacific - …...presentation on nuclear testing in the...

Presentation On Nuclear Testing In The Pacific - 2nd June 2017

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7Nuclear testing began early on the morning of 16 July 1945 at a desert test site in Alamogordo, Mexico

when the United States exploded its first atomic bomb. In the five decades between that fateful day in

1945 and the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996, over

2000 nuclear tests were carried out all over the world. Between 1945 and 2006, over 60 test sites

throughout the world were used. 2000 nuclear tests were carried out in over 60 test sites throughout the

world.

The Pacific Ocean was amongst these test sites. From the beginning of the nuclear age, the Pacific islands

were used for the development and testing of nuclear weapons In the Northern Marshall Islands, a total of

66 nuclear tests were conducted between 1946 and 1958 by United States, 23 of them at Bikini Atoll and

43 at Enewetak Atoll. 180 (193) tests were conducted by France for more than 30 years in French-

Occupied Polynesia (French Polynesia) beginning with atmospheric testing, the first nuclear test

conducted in the Tuamotos in July, 1966. Only sometime later did the testings move underground in the

atolls of Moruroa (Mururua) and Fangataufa. Mururoa and its sister atoll Fangataura were the site of

extensive nuclear testing by France from 1966 to 1996.

Between 1946 and 1996, the United States, Britain and France conducted Cold War programs of nuclear

testing in the deserts of Australia and the atolls of the central and south Pacific. Over five decades, more

than 315 nuclear tests were held across the region. The British government conducted another nine atomic

and hydrogen bomb tests at Kiritimati (Christmas) and Malden islands in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands

colony, in 1957.

French President from 1995 – 2007, Jackques Chirac’s decision to run a nuclear test series at Mururoa on

5 September and 2 October 1995, just one year before the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was to be

signed, cause worldwide protest, including an embargo(ban) of French wine. The Comprehensive

Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian

and military purposes, in all environments. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on

10 September 1996 and at the time has not entered into force as eight states have not ratified the treaty.

The Treaty was again opened for signature in New York on 24 September 1996, when it was signed by 71

States, including five of the eight then nuclear-capable states. The five were China, Egypt, Iran, Israel

and United States. As of October 2016, 166 states have ratified the CTBT and another 17 states have

signed but not ratified it. (Agreement was signed by delegations but is yet to be approved by the different

states represented)


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Why nuclear tests are carried out?

Nuclear testing has often been used as an indicator of scientific and military strength, and many tests have

been overtly (clearly) political in their intention; most nuclear weapons states publicly declared their

nuclear status by means of a nuclear test.

Nuclear weapons tests are experiments carried out to determine the effectiveness, yield, and explosive

capability of nuclear weapons. Throughout the twentieth century, most nations that developed nuclear

weapons tested them. Testing nuclear weapons can yield information about how the weapons work, as

well as how the weapons behave under various conditions and how personnel, structures, and equipment

behave when subjected to nuclear explosions.

There are eight sovereign states that have successfully detonated (blew up/explode) nuclear weapons.

Five are considered to be “nuclear-weapon states” (NWS) under the terms of the Treaty of the Non-

Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In order of acquisition of nuclear weapons, these are United

States, the Russian Federation (successor state of the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, France and

China.

Nuclear Testing In the Pacific with Focus on Bikini Atoll

A nuclear weapon test by the United States military at Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, Micronesia on 25 July 1946.


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The wider, exterior cloud is actually just a condensation cloud caused by the Wilson chamber effect, and

was very brief. There was no classic mushroom cloud rising to the stratosphere, but inside the

condensation cloud the top of the water geyser formed a mushroom-like head called the cauliflower,

which fell back into the lagoon (compare with this image, a photo taken slightly later, after the

condensation cloud had cleared). The water released by the explosion was highly radioactive and

contaminated many of the ships that were set up near it.

The Wilson cloud from test Baker,

situated just offshore from Bikini Island

at top of the picture.

The head of one of the crew members of Daigo Fukurhu Maru (a Japanese tuna fishing boat with a crew of 23 men) showing radiation burns caused by fallout that collected in his hair. Dated on 7 April 1954, 38 days after the nuclear test on March 1, 1954)


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As the result of the test, the people of Bikini atoll were moved from their homeland to nearby atolls in

1946 to make way for the testing of 23 nuclear weapons by the US government. In 1948, they were

finally relocated to Kili atoll which is located 425 miles south of Bikini. Kili Island is without a sheltered

lagoon.

Kili Island became their home after two prior relocations failed. The island does not have a natural lagoon

and cannot produce enough food to enable the islanders to be self-sufficient


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Bikinian leaving Bikini, March 7, 1946 (US Archives)

A review of the dosimeters worn by servicemen during “routine” nuclear tests found radioactive

exposition doses of up to 600 mSv (ˈsiː vət) during a two week mission. This dose corresponds to about

7,500 times natural background radiation (approximately 0.09 mSv over the course of two weeks) or the

equivalent of 30,000 chest x-rays (0.02 mSv). A radiation dosimeter is a device that measures exposure to

ionizing radiation (radiation dosage).

“Castle Bravo” test exceeded the expected yield by 200 % and spread radioactive fallout over more than

11,000 km², contaminating several inhabited island including Rongerik, Rongelap and Utrik, as well as a

Japanese fishing vessel. Many islanders and the Japanese crew suffered acute radiation sickness from

external radiation. Inhabitants of contaminated islands were evacuated a few days after “Castle Bravo,”

but long-term studies showed increased levels of cancer, especially of the thyroid, most likely due to

internal radiation with iodine-131.

While radioactive iodine is among the most dangerous acute radioisotope spread by nuclear tests, the most

significant long-term sources of radioactivity are long-lived radioisotopes such as cesium, strontium and

plutonium, which were deposited over the islands by fallout. They can cause cancer through radioactive

emissions inside the body once ingested or inhaled. Populations of the Marshall Islands that received

significant exposure to radionuclide have a much greater risk of developing cancer. The Castle Bravo test

detonation produced an explosion of approximately 15 megatons, which is about three times its predicted

value.

Populations neighboring the test site were exposed to high levels of radiation resulting in mild radiation

sickness of many (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). Several weeks later, many people began suffering

from alopecia (hair loss) and skin lesions as well. The female population of the Marshall Islands has a

sixty times greater cervical cancer mortality than a comparable mainland United States population. The

Islands populations also have a five time greater likelihood of breast or gastrointestinal mortality, and

lung cancer mortality is three times higher than the mainland population. The male population on the

Marshall Islands lung cancer mortality is four times greater than the overall United States rates, and the

oral cancer rates are ten times greater. There is also a presumed association between radiation levels and

female reproductive system functioning.


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The atoll of Enewetak was decontaminated after the cessation of nuclear tests, with all radioactive debris

sealed under an eight meter high concrete sarcophagus, dubbed “Cactus Dome.” The Bikini atoll on the

other hand was deemed too contaminated for clean-up and the indigenous Bikinians had to be relocated

several times, even coming close to starvation when they were sent to islands which did not yield any

crops. Even in 1994, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) still found the Bikini atoll to be too

radioactively polluted for resettlement, with animal and plant life still highly contaminated.

Children on Kili Island, 2007 - Photo © Jack Niedenthal

Kili Island – the Island people of Bikini Atoll were relocated to, where they live today, they regard as their home.


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And now, if nuclear weapons weren't enough, the people of Bikini Atoll living on Kili Island, the

Bikinians home in exile, are facing the dramatic effects of climate change. These pictures are from

February of 2015. Though this kind of flooding also occurred in January of 2015 and has occurred every

year since 2011, steps are currently being taken to find another place for the Bikinians to live. There is,

however, a large population of Bikinians living elsewhere in the Marshall Islands and overseas who still

hope to have the ability to return to their homeland someday soon. The highest point of Kili Island is only

3 meters (9.8 ft) above sea level. Ocean waves have covered portions of the island at least five times from

2011 to 2015, contaminating all of the wells on the island. In August 2015, the Bikini Council passed a

resolution requesting assistance from US government to modify terms of the Resettlement Trust Fund for

the People of Bikini to be used for relocate the population once again, this time outside of the Marshall

Islands.

Unlike the Americans, in the case of documentation of test results and effects on environmental and

human health, the French have always been and continue to be secretive about their tests in Polynesia.

Tahitians and Marshall Islanders who were exposed, including test site workers, have been dying slow,

excruciating deaths. Often they are unable to receive proper medical treatment because French authorities

continue to deny officially that the nuclear tests did in fact cause any significant environmental or human

damage. (Statement by Rev. Herenui during the GS Meeting)

French Polynesia Mururoa

Presentation On Nuclear Testing In The

BIKINI ATOLL

Outlook

After conducting more than 1,000 nuclear tests, the U.S. stopped their nuclear test program in 1992, but

has still not ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which prohibits nuclear test explosions.

In 1986, a 150 million dollar trust fund was s

exposed to fallout from nuclear testing. However, about 40


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In 1986, a 150 million dollar trust fund was set up in order to compensate Marshallese people who were

exposed to fallout from nuclear testing. However, about 40 % of the affected people died without



et up in order to compensate Marshallese people who were

% of the affected people died without


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receiving their full compensation, which was in any case very little, prompting the president of the

Marshall Islands to send a petition to the U.S. Congress in 2000, calling for further decontamination

projects, a more inclusive compensation scheme and better health surveillance. The petition fell on deaf

ears, and many islanders took legal action, but were rebuked by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010. While

their government has filed a law-suit against the nuclear weapon states in the International Court of

Justice for their failure to comply with their obligation to disarm under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the

Hibakusha (victims of the nuclear tests – those who had been exposed to nuclear bomb testing in places

such as Marshall Islands) of the Marshall Islands continue their fight for recognition and compensation.

In February 2016, French President Francois Hollande flew down to the South Pacific for three days as

the first stop on a global tour of the French territories. It was the first time a president had made an

appearance in French Polynesia since 1979, and he spent the majority of his stay on mainland Tahiti.

While in Papeete, he delivered a sycophantic speech regarding the economic and social merits of Tahiti to

a small, impassive crowd fanning themselves with pamphlets and braided palm fronds. As his speech

neared its end, Hollande buckled down, braced his hands against the glossed podium, and gave the

audience what it really wanted: a discussion of the damage done by nuclear testing in French Polynesia.

With a furrow in his brow, he said, “I recognize that the nuclear tests that took place between 1966 and

1996 in French Polynesia had an impact on the environment, and caused a plethora of health issues

among its populace.” There was haphazard applause from a few on the outskirts of the assembly. Arms

were crossed or folded in laps. Hollande explained that these tests, though they bore grave consequences,

were quintessential in developing France’s military powers, and that the Polynesians had made a great

contribution to global peace through helping to dissuade other countries from attacking France. He

continued: “I hope that we are able, through this meeting, to turn the page on the issue of nuclear

testing.” Hollande’s desire to tie up loose ends seems supported by a willful naiveté, as the history of

nuclear testing in the South Pacific is not one that will be forgotten or forgiven by the Polynesians any

time soon.

Today, the legacies of nuclear testing continue. Many service personnel who staffed the test sites and

nearby Pacific communities are living with adverse health and environmental impacts. Veterans,

community groups and indigenous organisations are campaigning for the clean-up of test sites and

compensation for health effects.


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The Maohi Nui Protestant Church recently made a stand to take the French government to court over the

nuclear compensation on behalf of the victims.

- The End -

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