DOCUMENTS SUBMITTETDOTHECOURT
AFTERTHEFILINGOF THE MEMORIALa l'honneur de porterà sa connaissance cequi suit.
Le ministère n'a rienà ajouter au document, relatant les dispositions prises
à l'égard duGreenPeace 111,qui a étéremis par courtoisie au Gouvernement
néo-zélandaisDar l'ambassade de France à Wellineton le 24 seotembre.
En ce qui concerne les ressortissantes néo-zélandaisequi se trouvaient à
bord du Green Peace, le ministère soumet à l'attentionde l'ambassade les
observations suivantes.
Ces personnesont pénétré dans la zone de sécuriténon point dans I'exercice
d'activités normales (pêche,navigation maritime sur des routes habituelles)
à laquelle l'institution de cette zone eQtfait temporairement obstacle, maisaux
fins d'interférer avec le programme d'expérimentation français et si possible
d'en empêcherle déroulement.
Or la crkation de zones de sécuritédans le but de oermettre des exercices
militaires constitue un usage licite de la haute mer, pour autant que ceszones
soient, comme la zone française, raisonnablement limitées dans l'espace etdans
Ces'ressortissantes néo-zélandaisesnt donc délibérémentcherché,dans un
désirde provocation dont elles ne pouvaientignorer les conséauences,à faire
obstacle à l'exercic. Dar la France du droit ~.ouestion.
En les conduisant sur le territoire français, le Gouvernement considère qu'il
a prisune mesureraisonnable lui permettant desauvegarder àla fois seslégitimes
compétencesétatiqueset la sécurité depersonnes dont les autorités néo-zélan-
daises pouvaientà bon droit se prëoccuper.
1 Vair ci-dessus404. NUCLEAR TESTS
L'ambassade de France présente ses compliments au ministere des affaires
étrangèreset a l'honneur de lui faire savoir que la présidencede la République
françaisea annoncéle 8juin 1974que lesmesures de sécurité de la zoned'expéri-
mentations nucléairesdu Pacifique Sud seraient remises en vigueur à partir du
t~~ iuin.
Les essais atmosphériques auxquels il sera procédécette année seront menés
comme précédemmentdans des conditions de complètesécurité.Leur innocuité
a étéconfirméeoar les ramor~~..u Comitéscientifiaue des Nations Unies dont
les conclusions sont régulièrement publiées.II est à noter que la France n'a
cessé, à cet égard, de s'imposer des exigences extrêmesde sécuritéet que les
les résultats des années précédentes n'ontété contestés parquiconque au
Comitéscientifique des Nations Unies.
D'autre part, il convient de faire observer que la Présidencede la République
franc.ise a décidé.con,rai~ ~ ~t au~~~nnées .récédentes.de faire ~~ ~é.er
l'ouverture de la campagne d'expérimentations nucléairespar un communiqué
à la presse. Cette procédure a étéchoisie en raison du fait qu'un élément
nouveau est intervenu dans le développement du programme de mise au point
de la force de dissuasion française. Cet élément nouveau est le suivant: la
France, au point ou en est parvenue l'exécutionde son programme de défense
en moyens nucléaires, sera en mesure de passer au stade des tirs souterrains
aussitôt que la série d'expériences prévuep sour cet été seraachevée.
Ainsi, les essais atmosphériques qui seront prochainement effectuésseront
normalement les derniers de ce type.
Lesautorités franqaises expriment le vŒuque le Gouvernementnéo-zélandais
trouvera de l'intérêt àcette information et voudra la orendre en considération.
1 Voirci-dessusp. 259 et ci-après p. 425. LE'ITER OF IIJUNE 1974 FROM THE NEW ZEALANDPRIME
MIN~STER TO THE PRESIDEN TF THE FRENCHREPUBL~C'
1havealready had occasion ta congratulate you on your election ta office and
wish you well in the tasks to which you have been called.
1regret that 1 must so soon after your election invite your attention ta an
outstanding issue between our two countries whose relationship is in every
other respect excellent.
The decision announced from your office of a further series of atmos~heric
tests and the accomoanvine decision to conduct subseauent tests undereiound
. .- ~ ~ . u ~~ ~~ ~
in French I'<ilyncsiahasbccncon\cycJ io me b) your Ambïsjïdor in \Vcllington
France's nuciedr lests orocr3mnie in the Souih Peiiiic ha,, from thc lime il
was forecast in 1963, been ahatter of deep concern to the people of New Zea-
land and to successiveNew Zealand Governments which. over the years, have
made reoeated representations to France. Our involvement with France's
nuclenr tkti progranime wds noi ofourchoosing but uas thruit upon usuiihoui
consultntion uiih us or uiih Our ncighbours. New Zealand Co\crnmcnis have
also ken called won to reoresent the views of island territories with which this
country hasa constitutional relationshipand independent island States towards
whom New Zealand has special responsibilities.
In frankness 1mus1tell you that theannouncement ta proceed ta underground
nuclear weapons testing, while it represents a measure of response Io the con-
cerns felt in New Zealand, does not accord with the long-term objectives we
esoouse. Anv testinr! in anv environment runs counter in Our view to the need
10-bring undérrational conirol at the international level a technology that could
otherwise have the most devastating consequences for mankind. We in New
Zealand feel that France is in a oosition to ~rovide much-needed leadershio in
the area of nuclear arms controi if she so chose.
Moreover, Ihave noted that the terms of the announcement do no1represent
an unqualified renunciation of atmospheric testing for the future. Adherence
by France Io the Partial Test Ban Treaty would provide s greater measure of
assurance in this respect.
But Our immediate concern arises from the fact that vet another round of
aimospheric tcsis i\ io Lx held in French Polynesiï ~ru,.Zciiland opinion will
no1 comprehend hou 3 ncu,ly-consiiluicd Govcrnmcnt. enunciating ncu,
policies for France could ~roceedimrnediatelv with a seriesof such tests in soite
of the concern thït has becn ehpreued oier mnny years hy the people\ niasi
inimediaiely iinècted. The reports thnt n high yield e~ploiion is conlcmplaicJ
are especially disturbing. The decision to carry on with the tests is the graver
in that it will involve a further infringement, indisregard of France's traditional
and valuable support for international law and interndtionaljudicial procedures,
of the interim measures order issued by the International Court of Justice in
June 1973.
II is once more asserted in your Ambassador's recent Note that French
testing is "harmless". Yet it is widely acceuted both at the international and the
national level that al1unnecessary additions to background radiation, without
compensating benefit, must be avoided on the ground that they may be hazard-
ous for present and future generations. This principle is the cornerstone of the
'Seep. 259,rupro, and p. 425,infra300 NUCLEAR TESTS
Partial Test Ban Treaty. In respect of atmospheric tests conducted in the
Pacific, New Zealand and the other countries and territories of theegion have
been aiven no choice. Thev have tacitlv heen invited to acauiesce in a conceot
of nafional interest which accords ne.ither with Our understanding of inter-
national law nor with Our perception of the interests of the international com-
munitv at large,
~he-disputewith France is not of New Zealand's seeking. Indeed, it has been
our earnestendeavour, through the accepted meansgoverning relations between
Statesand with a proper regard for the understandingthat must apply hetween
friendly States, to resolve this area of contention.
1would hope that even at this stage you would be prepared to weigh the
implications of any further atmospheric testing in the Pacific and resolve to put
an end to this activity which has been the source of grave anxiety to the people
in the Pacific region for more than a decade.
(Signedi Norman KRK. The New Zealand Embassv presents its comoliments to the Ministrs of
Foreign Athirs and hïs rhe hinour to infsrm IIihat the Ncw Zeiiland ~dsern-
ment has good reïsiin IO helie<eihar Frïncc conducted an ïrmosphcric nuclear
explosion at Mururoaon 16June. Accordinrlv the Embassv is instructed bv the
Niw Zealdnd auihorities tu sonvey Io the &ch ïvrhorii~es ihe New ~ealand
Ciu\ernmcnt's 5trong protesi ai ihe resumprion of iiirnospheric nucleïr ucdpons
testing at Mururoa.
The decision 10proceed with thesetests, in disregard of representations made
over a period of many years, and renewed most recently in a letter of 1 I June
1974 from the Prime Minister, Right Honourable Norman Kirk. to the Presi-
dent of France, His Excellency M. Valery Giscard d'Estaing, is viewed with the
utmost concern by the Government and people of New Zealand. The Govern-
ments of the Cook Islands, Niue and the Tokelaus are al their request associated
with this protest.
The announcement that France will proceed to underground tests in 1975,
while oresentina a new develooment. doesnot aiïect New Zealand's fundarnental
opposition.to a71nuclear test&, nor does it in any way reduce ~ew Zealand's
opposition to the atmospheric tests set down for this year: the more so since
the French Governmentis unable to give firm assurancesthat no atmospheric
testing willbe undertaken after 1974.
The decision Io proceed is the graver in that it involves a further infringement
of the lnterim Measures Order of the International Court of Justice of June
1973 in the caseNew Zealand versus France.
The French Government's attention is again drawn to the view of the New
Zealand Government that such tesis are a violation of international law. The
New Ze~lïnd Goternmeni formally rcserves the righi Io hold the French
Go\ernrnenr responsiblc for ans dsmdge or lossesreceived by New Zealand or
the Pïcitic Islands for uhich New Zealïnd ha\ a res~onsibilits as ï resulr of anv
nuclear weapons tests conducted by France.
1 Seep. 260,srdpra.and p.425.infra.NO. NRL-F/SI AND ENTITLED "ENVIRONMENTA RADIOACTIYITFY ALL-OUT
FR~M NUCLEARWEAPONSTESTSCONOUCTED BY FRANCE IN THE SOUTH
PACIFIC DURING JULY AND AUGUST1973, AN0 COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS
TEST SERIES"
Terms ofRefereno ceAckrrowledgemenf
In September 1957 the New Zealand Department of Health was charged,
under a Cabinet directive. with the responsibility for monitoring environmental
radioactive contamination in New ~ealand and also in any ~acific areas with
which New Zealand was associated.
The Department delegated this responsibility to ils National Radiation
Laboratory at Christchurch where the measurement of radioactive fallout
became a natural extension of the work of the Laboratory in the fields of
radiation protection-the control of radioactive pollution and the safe use of
ioni7ing rüdiüiions in medicine. educaiion, re\çarih, anJ ind~~try.
The 1.liboratory operates iwo kindoi monitoring pr<>grlimme:
Routine monitoring of long-lived fission products and natural radio-
activity, largely for théNew ~ealand area, is carried out continuously and
reported annually.
During nuclear weapons tests in the South Pacific the programme is
modifiedto include the measurement of short-lived fission prodicts on an
extended scale within New Zealand and throughout the PacificArea. The
results of each extended programme are now published in a separate
report.
The Environmental Radioactivity Section of the Laboratory is resoonsible
for the organisation of the monitoring operations, sample- analYies, and
reporting and interpretation of results:
L. P. Gregory, Officerin Charge, MonitoringOperations, Radiochemistry,
Editorial Work
T. Baltakmens, Professional Officer, Radiochemistry
J. E. Dobbs, Senior Technical Officer, Gamma Spectroscopy
M. A. Findlay (Mrs.). Technician
G. K. Osborne, Technical Assistance and Draughting (Part Time)
The willi-e co-ooeration of Pacific Island Governments. Admi~i~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
and their statTsduring thcse prugrammr., is üppre<iarc<l.
The assistance of Gotcrnmeni I)cpürtmîni~ in Scu, ZeïlanJ. pxrticulïrly the
Xçu Zealand Meieoroloriidl Sertice. and <ifihoie nrii,aie ;i>mnünirs uhich
provide samples, is also gratefully acknowledged.
(Signed)H. J. YEABSLEY,
Director.
'Seep. 255,supraandp. 425,infra DOCUMENTS 303
Sunmiary
Trace levels of fresh fission oroducts from the first nuclear test of the 1973
series were detected in mid-AU& in some New Zealand air filters. At about
the sametime slight increasesin the radioactivity of weekly rain collections were
measured and iodine-131 was detected at low levels in several milk samoles.
Fallout from the subsequent nuclear testsof the serieswas not detected in New
Zealand.
At Pacific Island stations marked increasesin the radioactivitv of air filters.
rain samplcs. and incres\eJ le\elsofiodine.l3l in milk oc~urreJ. Theseincreases
resulted rndinly from ~csterly chsur>ions of fision products particularly from
the third and fifth exolosions of the series. Fresh fission oroducts arrived at
Pacific Island station' in a matter of days after these nuciear tests. Measure-
ments on migratory fish caught ORSamoa show no contamination.
By the end of October levels had fallen to pre-test levels at al1stations. The
levels of fallout measured and reported herein are small fractions of the
reference levelsand do not constitute a public health hazard.
From 22 Julv to 29 Aueust 1973 France conduc~ ~~ ~r seventh seri~~ of
~-
airnosphcric nuclear wçapons tests in the South Paciiic at Mururoa in the Tua.
moiu Archipclago This report presenis the rejulis of the New Zealand extended
monitoring programme which started on 12 July and finished on 31 October
1973. The results of measurements are also compared with those obtained
during the previous French test series since 1966. A complete lis1 of nuclear
exolosions in the atmosohere for each test serieçis eiven in Table t Aooendix.
i'he reader is referredto Report NRL-FI49 for the results of the 19j2 moni-
toring programme, and particularly ta the earlier report NRL-F/47' for a
discussion on radioactivefallout. and on the extended monitorine oroerammes
conducted by the Laboratory including technical information on;ampÏe collec-
tion and measurement. The results to December 1972 of routine long-term
measurements are aiven in the latest Annual Reoort2
The extent of the-1973monitoring prograninie k shown in tigure 1. Measure-
ments on migratory fishcaught off Samoawere introducîd this time In al1oiher
resoects the oroaramme was the same as that conducted durine 1972 namelv:
gamma radiation readings several times daily at the six ~acific-stations to the
east of Fijiwhich are nearest to the test zone,daily air filter collections for total
beta activitv assessmentat four Pacific and four New Zealand stations. weeklv
rain collections for total beta activity assessmentat nine Pacific and four ~ew
Zealand stations, and thrice weekly milk collections for measurement of
iodine-131 at two Pacific and seven New Zealand stations.
Urlils
The unit of CLIIIIIIIU Ru<li(rriur i>,i.usïd herein is the millirad (rnRAD1. For
compariion purpi)\e\a doserateofabout 120mRADpersearmay bcattributed
to the "average" natural background radiation
' Fallout [rom nuclearweaponstestsconductedby Francein the SouthPacificfrom
lune Io August 1971and cornparisonswith previous test series.NRL-FI47 March
1972.(Secondprinting October 1973.)
EnvironmentalRadioactivity Annual Report 1972.NRL-FI50 April 1973.304 NUCLEAR TESTS
The unit of Radioacrivitvis the Curie (3.7 x 10'0 disinteerations oer second).
Becauherhis unit is loo lirge for environmenial levels of~adioart~viiy rmallrr
subdii,isions are u\ed: the millicurie (~CIJ-one ihuusandih of a Curie; the
oicoiurie (~Cil-one millionth of a millionth of a Curie 12.22 di\iniearaiioni
ber minut& '
The results of measurements are presented as follows:
In airthe concentration of mixed fission products is given in picocuries of
total beta activit..Der c~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ r - ,.,
In rain the deposition of mixed fission products is given in millicuries of
total beta activity per square kilometre (mCi/km2).
The concentration of the fission products in rainwater is given in
picocuries per litre (pcillitre),and is calculated from the deposition and
rainfall as follows:
mCi/km2 x Iûû
pCi/litre =
centimetres of rain
In milk the concentration of iodine-131 is given in picocuries per litre
(pCi/litre).
Al1 times and dates are New Zealand Standard Time (G.M.T. + 12hours).
PorenrinlHealrh Hazard and ReferenceLevels
There are no internationally accepted "permissible levels" for the exposure
of people to fallout from nuclear weapons testing. A11of the measurements
recorded in this report concern such contamination and it is considered neces-
sary in the public interest to provide some guide hy which the significance of the
values may be appreciated.
Developmentof ReferenceLevels
The simolest orocedure is to comoare measured values with those which
uould gi\,ethe annual "Dose ~imiii"'su~~e~ted by the Internation11 Cummis-
sion on Radiologisal I'rotection (ICRP)'. These dose limiir u,ere esiahlished
for individual members of the nublic so that ihe risks irom controllahle radia-
tion sources should be no greGer than other risks regularly accepted in every-
day living. These dose limits are in fact one-tenth of the annual Maximum
Permissible Doses for radiation workers. The Commission emohasizes that
al1conirolled radiation expi)wres should be kepr IO the minimum practicable
and that the risks should beju,iilirJ in term, of benefits rhat uould no1 othcr-
wise be received
The fiillowing "Refçrence Le\,els" have been deri\eJ from these dose limits.
making allowiince for the rirk tu childrcn. ln no caseis a refcrence lei,el greaier
rhan one-ihird of the uuncentration which. if maintained indeiinitely, uould
lead to a dose limit. The media and radionuclides listed are those Benera~~y
accepted as the key items for monitoring fallout contamination, and the units
of concentration are those used in the reports of this Laboratory.
' Recommendationsofthe International Commission on Radiological Protection:
lCRP Publication9. PergamonPress,1966. 306 NUCLEAR TESTS
ReferenceLevels:
In Milk: Strontium-901 270 pCi/g Ca
Caesium-137l 7,000 pCi/g K
Iodine-131 200 pCi/litre
In Air: Mixed fission products
between 10and 80 days 300 pCi/m3
old
In Rainwater: Mixed fission products
between 10and 80 days 6,000 pCi/litre
old
The ICRP "Dose Limits" specify annual exposures and therefore for those
concentrations which can change rapidly with time, such as mixed fission pro-
ducts in air or in rain, or iodine-131 in milk, the average values over the year,
rather than transient values, should be compared with the reference levels.
If,during any one year, the average levels do not greatly exceed the reference
levels then any resulting increase in risk to the health of an individual would be
insignificant, and would not, in itself,justify the disruptions and possible risks
associated with remedial actions.
Comparisonof ReferenceLevels wirhNafural Radiation Background
It i\ also ncxssür) to consider the p<ir\ihlehalards from continuing weîpons
tc5ts Under thesc condition< long-litcd radioacti\,e Jehris. ar;umulating in the
environment. and the regular uresence of short-lived material. ma, cau.e
exposure over many yearsyIn this context it is helpful to compare the average
(over many years) of the annual doses from fallout with that due to backgr.und
radiation to which the human race has alwavs been ex~osed.
The level of background radiation varies markedly fiom place to place. For
reference purposes, however, the "average" annual dose received from the
natural environment may be taken as about 120millirads.
There are a number of areas with large populations where the annual back-
ground dose isseveral times this value. No survey has to date demonstrated that
there is a health hazard associated with livine in such a reeion. On the other
hand it has not been possible to demonstrate that there 1sa thTeshold dose below
which no etïect on health 1sproduced.
If the reference levels were maintained indefinitel.. the. would each lea~ ~o ~ ~
dose rate of the same order as thst received from average natural background
rddidtion. Thus if a long tcrm aierdge level is ckpresied 3s a per;eniaae of a
reference level then the resulting riskwill be about the same pe;centageof any
risk which may be eventually attributed to radiation from the natural environ-
ment.
Resultsof the 1973 Monitoring Programme
I. Gamma RadiationMonitoring
This monitoring service is conducted several times daily at the six Pacific
Island stations nearest the nuclear test zone. A reporting level of 0.3 mRAD per
hour was originally set when French South Pacific nuclear testing commenced
' The levels of the long lived radionuclides strontium-90 and caesium-137to
December1972aregiven in Report No.NRL-F/50. DOCUMENTS 307
in 1966. This reporting level, however, has never been reached. For the 1973
series a lower "level of interest" of 0.05 mRAD per hour was set. This level
was no1 reached during the monitoring programme.
2. FissionProdiicrsiti Air
At the four Neu Zraland stations air i. sampled continuously. The filters
are chiingeJ three times each ueek and measured for tot;il beta activity. Le\,els
fell sieadily during the iirit half of 1973. During Janusry station avcrages uere
from 0.02 to 0.03 pi<ocuries pcr cubic meire and ihcreafter they decreasedio the
minimum detectablc lekel 0.01 pCi,m' or Ieis Juring July. The c~tended moni-
toring Droeramme coverina the French Pacific tests commenced with dailv air
filterchanges immediate~~after the first nuclear test of 22 July was repoited.
Levels remained very low until the period Y to 16 August, 18 10 25 days later.
Trace levels of fresh fission products were then detected on several occasions.
A maximum concentration of0.17 pCi/m3 occurred at Auckland on 14August.
This delay of about three weeks in the arriva1 of fresh fission products over
New Zealand is consistent with the fission ~roducts having beencarried around
the hemisphere in an easterly direction by ~revailing wind;. Although the levels
were very low an attempt was made.10 determine the date of origin of the
fission ~roducts by careful measurement of the rate of radioactive decay in
selected samples. -~hese measurements confirmed that the fission products
originated in the first nuclear testof the 1973 Pacificries.(SeeFig. 3 Appendix.)
This evaluation was only oossible with these samples becauseof the extremelv
low levels immediately irior to the period of interest. The average level during
August ranged from 0.02 pCi/m3 at Hokitika 10 0.04 pCi/m3 al Auckland.
During September levels decreased,and during October they were again at the
minimum detectable level. No increases arising from the later nuclear tests of
the series were detected at the New Zealand stations.
At the four Pacific Island stations the situation was very dikerent. Only one
sample, al Tonga. exceeded0.1 pCi/m3 during the period when trace levels were
measured in New Zealand. However, marked increases were measured al al1
the Pacific Island stations later in August and early in Seotember after the final
ihree nuclear testsof the series.These~ncreasesresulted from uesterly excursions
of fisrion producis uhich arrii,ed iiithe central Pa~ifi~.area in a matter ofdays
sfier the nuslear tcsis. The third and nlih lou jield e~~losionsc~usedthe main
increasesbut there are indications that the fourth. ver; low-vield exolosionmav
also ha\,cc~ntributed. Incre~sed le~elsuereiirsideiect~d~i ~amoa in 23~ugu;f
\then four-da).-old fission products from the testuf IY Augusi uere measured a1
a level of 10 pCi/m3. The maximum levels measured occÜrred at Samoa in two
separate peaks: 117pCi/m3 on 25 August (six-day-old fission products from the
test of 19 August), and 43.5 pCi/m3 on 5 September (seven-day-old fission
products from the test of 29 August). The average levels at Samoa were 0.01
pCi/m3 during July. 5.90 during August, and 3.42 during September. At the
other Pacific Island stations (Nandi. Suva and Tonga) the levels were very much
lower, although no1 as low as those al the New Zealand stations. During
October levels dropped to very low values, near the minimum detectable level,
at al1stations.
In the Appendix the resultsof measurementsare given intabular andgraphical
form (Table 2, Fig. 2); the determination of the origin of the fission products
collected and hence the age at collection is shown graphically (Fig. 3); and
average levels during each monitoring programme since 1966 are compared
(Fig. 4, Table 3). It should be noted that in Figure 2 the results of daily air DOCUMENTS 309
of detection atsll New Zealand stations and this monitoring service was termi-
nated in rnid-October. The country-wide averag-level for the monitorinr-.oeriod
was lessthan the detection limit.
At Suva and Apia. iodine-131 was present in rnost samplescollected from late
Aueust to the end of Se~tember. Maximum values were 15 cill litat Suva on
14 ~epiember. J~J X8 &i litre ai Api~ on 7 Septçmber. ~he average Içi,els for
cdsh siatiiin. hanever. ucre ter). sniall fractions of the referencr leicl.
In the Aooendit individual resultiare lisisd ln Table 5. and areshown gra~hi-
cally in ~i&re 7 where they may be compared with results from the p~ev~ous
monitoring programmes. Longer term average levels and the comparison of
these with the reference level are given in Table 6 for each monitoring pro-
gramme since 1966.
5. Moriiroririgof Migrarory Fisli
Migratory fish caught off Samoa during the monitoring period have been
rneasured for fallout contamination.
Tnis new programrnz starteJ wiih mediurcments on tuna caught in New Zea-
ldnd ct~!5tal waier, duringldlr 1972anJ edrly 1973 10 providc "background"
levels for comoarison. Nineteen samoles consisting of the flesh of Albacore.
Skipjack ~una, and Kahawai were measured bygamma spectroscopy. ~he
radioactivity measuredwasalmost entirelydue to naturally occurringpotassium-
40, ranging from 3.0 to 4.3picocuries per gram (wet weight). Parlicular atten-
tion was paid to the measurement of long-lived caesium-137 which would be
expected to be present in the sort tissue. The limit ofdetection for caesium-137
in these measuremenls was 0.03 ~Cilz which is sornewhat less than the con-
centration commonly found in land food samples (meat and rnilk) over the last
several years in New Zealand. The concentration of caesium-137 was below the
limit of detection in most of the fish samoles. The range of activities measured
was from less than 0.03 to 0.06 f 0.03 'p~i/g (wet weight). No other radio-
nuclides were detected in these samples.
During the monitoring programme 38 samples of migratory fish had been
measured at the iimç ofGlo\ini th15report, 2nd ihe mea'uremint5 will be con-
iinued for anoihcr munth or ho. Thc samples comprise Riiinbou Runner,
Skipiaçk and Yelloufin Tuna caughi IWO tu fi\c miles oif Apia harbour Samoa
dur;& the period 3 August to 3 October. The concentiation of naturally
occurring potassium-40 ranged from I.Z to5.2 pCi/g (wet weight), and caesium-
137 ranged from less than 0.03 to 0.10 0.04 pCi/g (wet weight). Other
radionuclides which were particularly looked for and were not detected were
barium-140, iodine-131, and zinc-65.
Artificial radioactivity rneasuredin fish during the monitoring period was no1
significantly different to that rneasured in the pre-test New Zealand samples.
The radioactivity was almost entirely due 10 naturally occurring potassium-40
which exhibited a greater range in the samples caught off Samoa. NUCLEAR TESTS
The power of the nuclearexplosion isclassifiedasfollows:
verylow lessthan I kiloton
low 1Io 20 kilotan
low-intermediate 20 IO 200kiloton
intermediate 20010 IOOO kiloton
high IOOO kiloton (1 megaton) or more
New Zeoland
Yeor Dore Power ' Monirorinr Period
1966 3July low-intermediate
20 July low-intermediate l July
12 September low-intermediate 10
25 September low-intermediate 3Ï December
5 October intermediate
1967 6 June low l June
28June low-intermediate to
3July low-intermediate 30Serilember
1968 8July low-intermediate
16July intermediate 4 July
4 August low-intermediate 10
25 August high 30 November
9 Seotember hiph
No Nuclear Testsin the Pacific
16May low
23 May intermediate
31 May high
25 June low 16May
4 July high tO
28 July very law 31 October
3 August low-intermediate
7 August iniermediate
1971 6 lune low-intermediate
13lune intermediate 4 June
5July low IO
9 August low 31 Oclober
15Aueust high
1972 26June very low 20 lune
l July low 10
28 July low 30Seritember
1973 22 July low
29 July very low 12July
19August low 10
25 August very low 31 October
29 August low
' In ihr grdphicil prr.icntaiion ofrciullc in lhreport. \ery Iiw tu intcrmîdiaie
devices in lhe kiloion rangcare represenied by an arrow . Ilydrogen bombi In the
megatonrangearereprewntcd bya Iargerarruw ! DOCUMENTS
TABLE 2. TOTAL BETA ACTIVITY OF NR FILTERSAMPLE1 S973
In Picocuriesper CubicMerre
Coileclion:From 9.00 a.m. on the date shown to 9.00 a.m. on the following date.
Mmuremenr: Routinely 4 days after collection. The result is adjusted 10 the activity al
collection when there is a significant diiïerence. The apparent age of the fission
products at collection is then given in days in parenthesis.
PocificIdlands New Zeoland
Nondi Suvo Apia Auck- Wel- Hoki- Chrisr-
Fiji Fiji Samoa land lingron iika church
July 12 0.02
13 0.02
14 0.02
15 0.02 ....
0.04 0.02 0.01
16 0.01
17 0.02 N.S. 0.02 < 0.01
.. ...- 0.01 0.02 < 0.01
19 0.02 <0.01 <0.01 0.02
20 0.02 <O.Ol <0.01 <O.Ol
21 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02
PI 22 0.01
23 0.03
24 0.02
25 0.03
26 0.04
27 <0.01 '
28 0.03
9- 29 0.01
30 <0.01
31 N.S.
July Av. 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02' 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 0.01
Aug. 1 0.01 0.02 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 10.01 0.01 0.01
2 <o.Ol <0.01 <0.01 0.01 0.03 <0.01 <0.01 0.02
3 0.01 0.01 0.02 < 0.01 0.01 <0.01 <O.Ol 0.01
-4 io.01 <O01 0.01 <O.Ol 0.04 <O.Ol <0.01 <0.01
5 0.02 0.02 0.01 <O.Ol <O.Ol 0.01 <0.01 <0.01
6 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 <O.Ol 0.03 <0.01
7 0.03 0.02 0.01 i0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 10.01
0.03 0.02 0.03 <0.01 <O.Ol <0.01 <O.Ol <O.Ol
8 0.04 0 0.02 <0.01 0.01
9 0.04 0.06 0.02
IO 0.04 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.02 < 0.01 0.04 0.04
11 0.04 0.03 <0.01 0.02 0.07 0.111 0.01 0.02
12 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.07 0.04 0.06 0.01 0.12'
13 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.11 0.09 0.10' 0.05 O.LOL
14 0.02 0.07 0.03 0.06 0.17' 0.08 0.02 0.03
15 0.03 0.04 0.01 0.03 0.12 0.02 0.02 0.03
16 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.12 0.03 0.05 0.04
N.S. No Sample.
1 The origin of the fission products in these low level New Zealand filters has ban deter-
mined to be the first test of the series (see Fig. 3. p. 315). 312 NUCLEAR TESTS
TABLE 2. TOTAL BETA ACTIWTY OF AIR FILTER SAMPLES 1977 (eonl.)
1 Pacific Island~ 1 New Zeoland
Noiidr Suva Apia Auck- Wel- Hoki- Chrisr-
lFiji ' Fiii Samoo 'Onga loiid linglon tiko church
21
22
23
24
P.. 25
26
27
28
9... 29
30
31
-
Aug. Av. 0.06
Sep. 1 0.05 0.01 0.02 <O.Ol
2 0.03 <O.Ol <0.01 0.02
3 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.03
4 0.05 0.02 0.03 N.S.
0.05 0.04 0.02 0.02
N.S. 0.02 0.02 0.02
0.06 <O.OI ~0.01 0.02
0.22(10) <O.Ol 0.03 0.02
0.04 0.05 0.02 0.04
0.06 0.02 0.04 0.04
0.04
0.02 0.02 0.03
0.19(14) co.01 <0.01 0.02
0.04 0.03 0.02 0.02
0.05 0.02 0.03 0.02
0.06 <0.01 0.02 0.04
0.04 0.03 0.02 0.02
0.03 0.03 0.02 0.03
0.04 <O.OI 0.02 0.02
0.07 0.03 <O.Ol 0.01
0.09 0.03 0.02 0.03
0.10 0.02 0.03 0.02
0.05 0.03 10.01 0.01
0.03 t0.01 <0.01 0.01
0.04 0.03 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.04 0.03 0.02
0.03 0.02 0.02 0.03
0.03 0.02 0.04 0.01
0.05 0.01 <0.01 0.01
0.01 <O.Ol <O.Ol 0.02
0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02
Seo. Av. 0.06 0.02 0.02 0.02
l 2-day collection. N.S. No Sample. DOCUMENTS 313
TABLE 2. TOTAL BETAACTlVlTY OF AIR PlLTERSAMPLES 1977(co~c~.)
1 Poeific Isloirds 1 New Zealonil
\%ondi Suva Apia Tongo Auek- el- Hoki- Clrrirr-
Fiji Fiji Samoa ( land lingron tika elturch
Oct. 1 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.01 <o.or <O.Ol
2 N.S. 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.01 <0.01
3 N.S. 0.02 < 0.01 0.01 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.01
4 NS < 0.01 0.02 0.03 <0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01
0.01 < 0.01 0.02 <0.01 <0.01 N.S. 0.03
N.S. 0.02 0.02 0.02 N.S. <0.01 0.01
0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.01 <0.01 0.01
< 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.01 <0.01 0.01
0.01 <0.01 0.01 0.03 <0.01 0.02 <0.01
10 0.02 0.02 < 0.01 0.03 <O.Ol 0.02 0.01 0.02
11 0.02 0.02 <0.01 <O.Ol <0.01 0.02 <0.01 0.02
12 0.03 N.S. 0.02 0.02 <0.01 co.01 <0.01 0.01
13 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 <0.01 0.01 0.03
14 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.02 <O.Ol <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
15 0.06 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 <0.01 <0.01 0.02
0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01
16 0.03 0.03 < 0.01 0.02 <O.Ol <0.01 0.01 <0.01
17 <O.Ol 0.03 0.01 0.04 <O.Ol <0.01 < 0.01 0.02
18 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.02 <0.01 0.01
19 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02
20 0.04 0.02 < 0.01 0.02 <0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01
21 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.02 <0.01 <O.Ol 0.01
22 0.02 , 0.02 0.02 0.02 <0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01
23 <0.01 N.S. 0.01 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <O.Ol <O.Ol
24 N.S. <0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 <0.01 0.02
25 0.02 < 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.01
26 <0.01 <0.01 0.03 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.02 0.01
27 <O.Ol N.S. 10.01 0.02 <0.01 0.02 0.02 0.01
28 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.01
29 0.01 0.01 0.01 <O.Ol 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
30 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 <0.01 0.01 <0.01 0.02
31 0.02 0.01 co.01 0.01 io.01 <O.Ol 0.02 0.01
Oct. Av. 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.01
N.S. No Sarn~le.314 NUCLEAR TESTS
FIGURE2.DULY AIR RADIOACTIVm 1973
ICrnphicdprprenloriO/Table2)
JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
X NO Sînpc FIGURE 3. THE ORlGIN OF FRESH FISSION PRODUCTS IN AIR FILTER SAMPLES 1973
(as determined by measurement of the rate of radioactive decay)
The vertical scale gives values ofA-0.833 where A ir the relative activity of the samples
at successive measurement limes. The estimated tirne of origin is given by the point
~hcrc thc crtrapol;itcd llne of heit lil rut, the date 3x8s.
The c<illr.;tii,n pcr.ois rhown th^,.W. and bumh teil\ ihu\Q
On [hi, page the tuo-sigma bars (95' : <i>ntirlcnccIc\cl, are ,h.,un for the six lor
level New iealand samples.316 NUCLEAR TESTS
FIGURE 3.THE ORIGIN OF FRESHFISION PRODUCIS IN AIR FILTERSAMPLES 1973(conf.)318 NUCLEAR TESTS
FIGURE3. THE ORICIN OF FRESHFISSIONPRODUCTS IN AIR FILTERSAMPL1973(cane/.)
SAMOA 20 SEPT.
-
1 DOCUMENTS 319
FIOURE4.AVERAGE MONTHLY AIR RADIOACTIVITY DURING EACH MONITORING
PROGRAMME SINCE 1966
SUVA
Flli
WELLINGTOiha&z~~LLt320 NUCLEAR TESTS
TABLE 3. AVERAGE A!R RADIOACTIVITY DURINC EACH MONITORING PERlOD '
Nandi, Fiji
Suva, Fiji
Apia, Samoa
Tonga
Auckland
Wellington
Hokitika
Christchurch
The duratiar. ofeach monitoring period isgiven in Table 1. DOCUMENTS 321
TABLE 4. TOTAL BETA ACTIVITY OF WEEKLY RAINWATER SAMPLES 1973
Collecrioii: From date shown to star1of next collection.
Meusurement: In mort cases from four days to two weeks after collection depending
on available sample transport facilities. The activity at the time of
measurement is adjusted Io that al mid-collection time when increased
levels of fresh fission products are measured. The apparent age of the
fission products in days then givenin parentheses after the deposition
value.
1973 SummuryundCornpurison
Total A veruge Dosero
Date Rain Deposition Year Deposition Concentration Infinily
(cm) (mCi/km2) (mCi/km2) (pCillirre) (mRADI
Tarawa:
Iuly 12 Nil 0.2
19 Nil 0.3
26 Nil <O.I
Aug. 3 0.1 0.2 ,
10 0.9 0.1
17 <0.l 0.2 1966 82.8 95 3.1
1967 185.1 523 7.0
24 <O.] 0.2
31 Trace 0.5 1968 43.2 113 1.6
Sep. 7 0.1 9.0(13) 1970 41.2 142 1.6
14 Nil 0.4 1971 24.8 65 0.9
21 Trace 0.3 1972 6.2 5 0.2
28 <O.[ 0.3 1973 12.8 441 O.3
Oct. 4 1.4 0.6
12 o.1 0.2
19 0.2 0.3
Total 2.9 12.8
Funafuti:
-
July 12 0.3 0.2
16 2.2 <0.1
23 4.7 <0.1
30 1.5 <O.l
Aug. 6 Nil 0.3
13 6.8 0.5
Sep.
Oct.
-
Total 60.9 70.4 1322 NUCLEAR TESTS
TABLE 4. TOTAL BETA ACTIVITY OF WEEKLY RAINWATER SAMPLES 1973 (eonr.)
1973 SummaryandCornparison
Tora1 Average Do~efa
Dare Rain Deposition Year Deposition Concenrrarion Infiniry
(cm) (mCi/krn2) (rnCi/krn2) (pcillirre) (rnRAD)
Nandi, Fiji:
July 12 1.7 0.3
16 7.5 0.1
24 Trace 0.1
31 0.8 0.1
Aug. 7 8.6 0.2
13 0.4 0.1 1966 32.4 73 1.2
28 1.7 0.8 1967 8.1 54 0.3
Sep. 17 14.4 0.8 1968 81.4 277 3.1
28 7.7 0.2 1970 31.9 96 1.2
Oct. 10 0.3 O.1 1971 27.0 63 1.O
1972 3.3 45 0.1
1973 2.8 6 0.1
Total 43.1 2.8
Suva, Fiji:
July 12 0.9 0.3
19 7.2 0.3
24 0.5 O.1
31 8.7 0.5 1966 179.0 297 6.8
Aug. 7 < 0.1 0.3 1967 49.9 103 1.9
14 0.3 0.2 1968 137.0 277 5.2
21 3.7 10.3(5) 1970 144.2 139 5.5
28 0.6 0.4 1971 141.3 139 5.4
Sep. 3 1.2 2.9(19) 1972 5.7 14 0.2
10 0.7 0.9 1973 18.4 41 0.3
17 1.7 0.7
24 9.1 0.4
Oct. 1 1.4 0.3
8 1.8 0.3
16 7.0 0.5
Total 44.8 18.4 DOCUMENTS 323
TABLE 4. TOTAL BETA AniViTY OF WEEKLY RAINWATER SAMPLES 1973(conl.)
1973 Summaryand Cornparison
Total A veruge Dose ro
Dore Rain Deposition Year Deposition Conce~lrotion Infiniry
(cm) (mCi/kmz) (mCi/km2) (pCiIlirre) (mRAD)
Apia, Samoa:
July 12 0.9 0.3
19 0.2 0.2
26 4.9 0.2
Aug. 2 8.1 0.4
9 0.3 0.4
16 6.3 0.4
23 7.9 97.4 (6)
28 0.7 0.7
Total 95.6 146.8 1
Niue:
July 13 2.5 0.5
23 1.3 0.2
31 0.7 0.3
Aug. 7 0.5 0.2 1966 1
14 0.9 0.4 1967 '
21 4.0 34.7 (5) 1968 1
23 5.9 28.5 (6) 1970 1
Sep. 3 2.2 9.1(8) 1971 '
II 2.5 3.9(27) 1972 6.3 17 0.2
18 3.1 0.9 1973 79.9 312 0.8
25 1.9 0.6
Oct. 2 <0.1 0.4
9 <0.1 0.2
Total 25.6 79.9
SeeReport No. NRL-F/47.324 NUCLEAR TESTS
TABLE 4. TOTAL BETA ACTIVITY OF WEEKLY RAINWATER SAMPLES 1973 (conr.)
1973 SuniniaryandComporison
Tora1 Average Dose ro
Dare Roin Deposition Yeor Drposirioii Coneeirrrorion 1nfinir.v
(e»J (rnCi/k,n2) (mCi/kni2) (pcillirre) (mRAD)
Tonga:
July 12 8.1 0.2
13 0.4 < 0.1
20 1.1 0.1
27 0.5 <0.1
Aug. 3 0.9 0.3
IO o.1 0.1
17 0.6 0.2 1966 77.4 130 2.9
24 0.9 34.2 (7) 1967 21.5 102 0.8
31 0.9 3.8 (14) 1968 -116.1 263 4.4
Sep. 7 10.4 4.0(21) 1970 82.6 294 3.1
14 3.5 0.4 1971 53.2 95 2.0
21 6.2 0.5 1972 7.5 IO 0.3
28 <O.l 0.3 1973 95.3 213 1.O
Oct. 5 0.5 0.2
12 0.4 0.2
19 8.2 0.5
24 2.l 0.2
Total 44.8 95.3
Aiiutaki:
July 12 0.3 O.1
19 <0.1 <0.1
26 0.2 0.2
Aug. 2 21.4 2.0
9 6.0 O.5
16 0.3 140 (4)'
23 0.6 41.3 (4)
30 1.2 263 (4)
Sep. 6 1.7 88.2 (9)
13 1.2 1.1
20 0.7 1.3
27 0.3 O.5
Oct. 4 0.9 0.9
10 7.7 0.2
17 0.3 0.2
24 1.7 0.6
Total 44.5 540.1 1
Deposition leveladjusted10lart day of collection (reeFig. 6)
SeeReport No. NRL-Fl47. DOCUMENTS 325
TABLE 4. TOTAL BETA ACTlVlTY OF WEEKLY RAINWATER SAMPLES 1973(~0ilt.l
1973 Summaryand Comparison
Tora1 Average Dose 10
Dale Rain Deposition Year Dep~sirion Concentrarion In/Fnity
(cm) (mCiIkrn2) (mCi/kmz) (pCiIlitre) (mRAD)
Rarotonga:
July12 1.0 0.1
19 0.2 <0.1
26 0.6 <O.l
Aug. 2 7.5 0.2
9 12.5 <0.1
16 0.2 N.S. 1966 1
23 0.9 19.1 (7) 1967 '
30 2.9 206 (4) 1968 l
Sep. 6 0.7 14.3(11) 1970 '
13 1.5 3.3 (16) 1971 '
20 1.6 1.6 1972 6.7 24 0.3
27 1.2 0.6 1973 247.2 570 1.6 .
Oct. 4 1.7 0.5
10 9.6 0.8
17 0.3 0.2
24 1.0 0.3
Total 43.4 247.2
Auckland:
July 13 0.4 10.1
20 8.8 <0.1
27 0.3 <0.1
Aug. 3 2.4 0.1
IO 2.4 0.4
17 3.2 O.1 1970 94.7 124 3.6
24 1.3 <0.1 1971 78.2 155 3.O
31 2.2 0.2 1972 4.7 17 0.2
Sep. 7 2.4 <O.l 1973 1.7 4 ~0.1
14 3.7 0.2
21 4.6 0.1
28 2.2 10.1
Oc!. 5 0.7 <0.1
12 2.0 <0.1
19 1.9 <O.I
26 0.4 <0.1
Total 38.9 1.7
SeeReport No. NRL-F/47.
N.S. No sample.326 NUCLEAR TESTS
TABLE 4. TOTAL BETA ACTIVITY OF WEEKLY RAINWATER SAMPLES 1973(conr.)
1973 Summaryand Contp~1ri~on
Torol A vcrage Dose ro
Dale Roin Deposirion Year Deporirion Concenirotion lnfiiry
(cm) (n1Cilkm2) (mCi/km2) (pcillirre) (mRAD)
Wellington:
July13 1.2 10.1
20 4.4 <0.1
27 0.2 <O.!
Aug. 3 2.2 <0.1
10 7.3 0.9
17 4.1 0.3
1970 68.9 88 2.6
24 0.1 <0.1 1971 59.4 80 2.3
31 1.4 0.1 1972 4.6 15 0.2
Sep. 7 1.5 Ç0.1 1973 2.4 7 <0.1
14 1.7 O.1
21 1.9 <0.1
, 28 0.6 <0.1
Oct. 5 Nil ~0.1
12 2.3 O.1
19 6.1 O.1
26 0.7 0.2
Total 35.7 2.4
July 14 Nil <0.1
21 1.4 <O.l
28 1.5 <0.1
Aug. 4 5.4 0.2
11 7.8 0.6 1966 106.3 116 4.0
18 2.0 <0.1 1967 37.4 63 1.4
25 3.7 O.1 1968 192.1 144 7.4
Sep. 1 5.8 O.1 1970 114.1 79 4.3
8 7.5 0.2 1971 76.9 72 ' 2.9
15 2.1 <0.1 1972
8.6 14 0.3
22 3.8 0.2 1973 2.6 5 <O.l
Oct. 6 2.1 <0.1
13 3.2 0.2
20 3.5 0.1
27 5.1 0.2
Tolal 54.9 2.6 DOCUMENTS 327
TABLE 4. TOTAL BETA ACTIVITY OF WEEKLY RAINWATER SAMPLES 1973(conel.)
1973 Surnrnaryand.Cornpariron
Total Average Dose ro
Dore Roin Deposition Year Deposition Concentrafion Infinity
(cm) (rnCi/krnz) (rnCi/km2) (pCi/lirre) (rnRAD)
Christchurch:
July 13 1.0 <0.1
20 2.0 <0.1
27 0.6 <O.]
Aug. 3 8.1 <O.]
IO 1.3 0.1 1966 28.2 106
17 1.7 0.1 1967 5.9 35
24 Nil <0.1 1968 21.7 123
31 6.3 10.1 1970 19.9 71
1971 16.2 76
Sep. 7 2.9 0.1
14 0.5 <O.] 1972 2.3 19
21 0.2 <O.] 1973 0.9 3
28 0.4 <0.1
Oct. 5 Nil <O.[
12 0.3 <O.(
19 0.8 <0.1
26 Trace <0.1
Total 26.1 0.9FIGURE 5. AVERAGE DAILY DEPOSITIONOF FISSION PRODUCTS IN RAIN 1973
US-ND Sample DOCUMENTS 329
FIGURE 6. THE ORIGIN OF FRESH FISION PRODUCTIS N RAINWATER SAMPLES 1973
(as deierrnineûby rneasuremeno rf rherare ofradioacrivedeeay)
'The\criical ,calcgi\r.\ \;<lur..i,."JnhcrcA 13ihr rcl.iii\cacri\.i) ofihcs~niplcr
ai succri,l$c rneJ~urcii,cnllinicr The c*lini~icd iiiilc cil'ciri\y.\eii b) Ibe puin1
uhrrc the c\ira~alair.,i Iin<irbcitfitSLI, JJII.
The collection period ishownthus: K. and bomb teststhus:%' 330 NUCLEAR TESI3
FIGURE 6. THE ORICIN OF FRFSH FISSIONPRODUCTSIN RAINWATER SAMPLFS 1973(co~c/.)
/
OAUO -6 SEPT DOCUMENTS
TABLE 5. IODINE-13INMILK 1973
PicocurieperLitreor Noon onDay of Collection
New Zealand Stations' 1 Pacifie Islands
Suva,Fiji Apia. Samoa
July 18 <2 July 13 <2
20 < 2 19 <2
23 < 2 21 <2
25 <2 25 <2
July 27
<2 26 <2
30 < 2 30 <2
Aug Aug. 1 < 2
3 <2 Aug. 3 <2
6 NS
8 < 2 8 <2
10 <2 10 <2
13 < 2
15
17
20
22
24
'27 < 2
29 10 29 10
31 II 31 36
Sep. Sep. 3 8
5 6 Sep. 5 8
7 6 7 88
10
12
14
17
19
21
24
26
28
oct. l
oct.
3
5
8
10
12
15
17
19
22
24
26
Average <2 <2 <2 <2 12 <2 <2 1 3 10
N.S. No sample
' AK-Auckland; NP-New Plymouth; WN-Wellington; CM-Creymouth;
CH-Christchurch; DN-Dunedin; IN-lnvercargill.332 NUCLEAR TESTS
FIGURE7. IODINE-131 IN MlLK DURING EACH MONITORING PROGRAMMESINCE DOCUMENTS 333
TABLE 6. IODINE-131N MILK 1966-1973:HAZARD ASSESSMENl
New Zcaland
Year country-wide Suva,Fiji Apia, Samoa
average
Average level 1966 7 (100) (80)
during the 1967 < 5 23 68
monitoring 1968 5 36 28
period 1970 ' 5 25 43
(pciiliire) 1971 2 18 47
1972 < 2 < 2 < 2
1973 < 2 3 10
Average level 1966 4 (58) (23)
during the 1967 I
entire year 1968 2 12 9
(~Ciliitre) 1970 2 10 17
1971 1 8 20
1972 < 1 < 1 < 1
1973 < 1 < 1 3
reference
level
-
Nore: The values in brackets for Suva and Apia during 1966 are based on an
extrapolation. Sec Report No. RNL-F/47. NUCLEAR TESTS
EN DATE DU 1" IUILLET 1974
I'ar i,otrç Icirrc 11juin 1974, vou.;ni'a\e/ fdii part de vos vue.;hla suite du
communiqué ofliiiel puhl16le 8juin 1974au sujet des osais nucléairehfranqdis
dans le I'aiifique. J'en ai pri, connai\.;an;e et 31étudiks a\ec I'attcnrion que
niéritcni Ici opinion, du gou\ernement d'un pays que. malgré les >entimenrs
divergents sur cette aifaireIdt'rÿnce considtre comme unc natwn îniie.
L~S raisons au'a le Gouvernement francais de ooursuivre le oroeramme de
. -
mise au point d'une force de dissuasion sont bien connues et vous ont étéexpo-
séesd'une façon détaillée. Ellesdemeurent à nos yeux valables. Je me permets
d'insister sur~lefait..ue. en agissant comme elles le font. les autorités francaises
ne contrc\iennent pas au droit international, pas plus qu'elles ne portent
atteinte ùl'en!ironncmeni ni ila santédes populdiions de la region.
Permettez-moi en oarticulier de rarxele;leî motifs oour lesiuels la France ne
s'estime pas liéepar les ordonnances de la Cour internationale de Justice du
22juin 1973, portant indication de mesures conservatoires. Elle avait en effet
intro~uii dans >a déclardiion d'aiieptatii>n <lela cunipétence de 1.iCour une
réser\,ccalégoriquea propos des dillërends ;oncernant des azti\tté\ se rappor-
tant B 13défensenationde. Cette réser\eétantlori claire et I'incomoétence de 13
Cour dans l'affaire des essais nucléairesétant donc manifeste, la France estime
que les ordonnances du 22 juin 1973 sont dépourvuesde base juridique. J'ob-
serve d'ailleurs que la Cour. en invoauant dans les ordonnances précitées
I'ariicle41 de sonSt3tut, a choisi une disl>ositionilut ne ciinfr'reaucun caractère
ohligatoirc au\ niesurc\ion~ervatoires indiquL'essur ce fondement.
De la mêmefaçon, permettez-moi de vous assurer que toutes précautions
sont prises cette année, comme par le passé,pour que les tirs effectuésaient lieu
dans des conditions de sécurité totaleet de vous rappeler que leur innocuité a
été confirmée parles rapports du Comité scientifiquedes Nations Unies dont
lesconclusions sont régulièrement publiées.
Dans les circonstances actuelles, c'est du moins une satisfaction pour moi de
noter que vous avez relevéde façon positive dans votre lettre l'annonce faite
dans lecommuniquédu 8juin 1974du passage aux essais souterrains. IIya là un
élémentnouveau dont je veux espérer que le Gouvernement néo-zélandais
mesurera l'importance.
Je ne saurais terminer cette lettre sans vous exprimer mon intime conviction
qu'en dépitde difficultéspassageres les relations entre nos deux pays sont
appelées à se développer encore, pour leur plus grand profit, sur la base de la
compréhensionet du respect mutuel.
(Signé) V. GISCARD D'ESTAING.
1 Voirci-dessus p. 260et ci-aprèp.425.
Documents submitted to the Court after the filing of the Memorial