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France warns

Australia, NZ

over nuclear protests

PARIS: France called on Australia and New Zealand not to protest more strongly against planned French nuclear tests than they have done over a Chinese test last week, the Paris Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"French authorities have let Canberra and Wellington know that they would ill understand if Australian and New Zealand reactions to French tests were stronger that those registered against recent nuclear tests," a ministry statement said.

Canberra and Wellington called in Chinese envoys after China's second test in three months. Australia said it lodged "a stern rebuke" while New Zealand said it was "most aggrieved".

"(French authorities) hope reactions of at least comparable restraint regarding the forthcoming French tests," said the French ministry statement which did not name China.

Australia and New Zealand have led a chorus of world protests against France's plans to end a three-year moratorium and carry out seven or eight underground nuclear weapons tests at the Mururoa atoll in the French Polynesia.

The tests are due to begin next month and end next May.-Reuter