Denial Of The ‘Rarotonga Treaty’ Of 1986

Denial Of The ‘Rarotonga Treaty’ Of 1986

Citizens across Australia and New Zealandare up in arms about denial of the ‘Rarotonga Treaty’ of 1986.

Politicians in Australia have conveniently forgotten how Australia and New Zealand, together with key Pacific nations, became signatories to this most important document.

The “South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty Act 1986” (signed in Rarotonga, NZ) was spawned by a very real threat of Nuclear proliferation throughout the Australia – Pacific region.

Opening statements of the treaty, say : “The parties to this treaty are united in a commitment to a World at Peace; (being) Gravely concerned about a continuing nuclear arms race which presents risk of nuclear war which would have devastating consequences for all people”.

The ‘Rarotonga Treaty’ as it has become known, was signed for and on behalf of Australia in 1986, by then Prime Minister, Robert Leigh (Bob) Hawke. U.S.A. Was also signatory to the treaty, however, typically, it failed to ‘ratify’ the agreement. “It’s outrageous!” said Lynn Stanfield, spokesman for the Save Australia Alliance. “Even though the treaty clearly calls for banning any nuclear weapons testing, and being determined to keep the region free from environmental pollution by radioactive wastes and other radioactive materials, our political zealots have invited America and others to bring their filthy new-age Depleted Uranium weaponry and use it for practice in war games on our land and in our waters, using Nuclear powered ships which, no doubt, will be carrying Nuclear Weapons”.

Lynn Stanfield also claimed the recent enthusiastic support by politicians in Australia, for expanded export and possible employment of nuclear materials in Australiashould end right now, as is strictly forbidden by the terms of the Rarotonga Treaty.

He said, “Vietnam Veterans and military groups such as ‘Sea of Orange’ are fed up with the lack of concern shown by governments for the wellbeing of our population in continually exposing us to illness and death through hideous ‘chemicals of warfare and destruction’.”

Sea of Orange and Peace Convergence are just two groups united with Save Australia Alliance and others in seeking a total ban on anything which will expose Australians to any form of radiation poisoning. “The first thing we must stop, is the Talisman Sabre 2007 war games from going ahead,” Stanfield said. “Our parliament must uphold the Rarotonga Treaty which is still current.”

Talisman Sabre continues throughout Australia and its waters, including World Heritage and Eco-sensitive regions such as the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu National Park, as well as Aboriginal Native Title Land areas, during May, June and July,2007.

ENDS

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