The World - News from May 9, 1988

New Zealand peace, anti-nuclear and Maori organizations have asked the government to close the French Embassy in Wellington because of French policies in New Caledonia and continued French nuclear testing in the South Pacific. The appeal, in a newspaper advertisement, expressed support for Melanesians in New Caledonia, scene of recent separatist strife, and sympathy for people from French Polynesia who have received medical treatment in New Zealand “for ailments related to the French government’s past atmospheric and continuing underground nuclear tests.” The advertisement was signed by a long list of organizations and individuals. There was no immediate reaction from the government, which is unlikely to heed the call.