Macron in French Polynesia to discuss Indo-Pacific strategy, legacy of nuclear tests
- The French president will lay out his vision for the strategic territory, as China pushes for military and commercial dominance in the Pacific
- Macron arrived in Tahiti after attending the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, and will also discuss Covid-19 and climate change risks
Residents in the sprawling archipelago of more than 100 islands located midway between Mexico and Australia are hoping Macron confirms compensation for radiation victims following decades of nuclear testing as France pursued atomic weapons.
The tests remain a source of deep resentment, seen as evidence of racist colonial attitudes that disregarded the lives of islanders.
“During this visit, the president intends to establish a strong and transparent dialogue by encouraging several concrete steps, on the history with the opening of state archives as well as individual compensation,” said a French presidential official, who asked not to be named.
French officials denied any cover-up of radiation exposure at a meeting earlier this month with delegates from the semi-autonomous territory led by President Edouard Fritch.