ABSTRACT
Mururoa Atoll lies within the Tuamotu Islands, one of five island groups that comprise French Polynesia. Mururoa Atoll has been used by France as its nuclear test site, the only one in the world operated by an extra-regional power. This made it suitable for atmospheric testing, while the structure of the island made it convenient for underground tests. In 1971, the South Pacific Forum was founded as a symbol and instrument of regional decision-making. In 1985, the Treaty of Rarotonga established the South Pacific nuclear-free zone which was immediately recognised by the Soviet Union and China the UK or the USA. Global attention was further focused on French nuclear testing when in 1985 the Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace ship which had planned to impede explosions at Mururoa, was sunk in Auckland harbour by French secret agents. However, on conclusion of the test series, France intimated that no more tests were envisaged and signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
