Indigenous activists fight nuclear testing

A delegation of six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activists visited Tahiti in October to voice their opposition to nuclear testing in the Pacific and to extend their solidarity to the Maohi people. Green Left Weekly's SAM WAINWRIGHT spoke to one of the participants NORITTA MORSEU-DIOP in Brisbane. The trip was sponsored by Greenpeace and Quaker groups and enabled the activists to participate in protests and meet local groups. They held a press conference which received wide coverage in the local media. "People knew who we were and wherever we went people said 'Hey there's the Aborigines', and smiled. It was a wonderful feeling. We experienced no animosity from any locals." The delegation took with them petitions and a special message from the Maralinga people to present to the Maohi people. "The Maohi were very hospitable and there was a strong feeling of solidarity, especially as we were bringing a message from Maralinga. Many people were surprised that Australia was still selling uranium to France and did not know how indigenous Australians had suffered at Maralinga". According to Morseu-Diop the sentiment against nuclear testing runs very deep and this has fuelled the movement for independence and land rights. "Once people knew why we were there they came up to us and explained they were very strongly opposed to the testing. There was a strong sense of uncertainty about what would happen in the future. All wanted autonomy and more say in their affairs, while some groups had a stronger position and wanted the French out." The delegation met with Maohi people who had reoccupied traditional land. It also saw first hand police and army intimidation and harassment of anti-nuclear protesters. After joining a protest flotilla in Papeete harbour, the captains of the protest boats were detained by police because they had not sought permits to move around the harbour. According to Morseu-Diop, "It was clear the police were just looking for excuses to stop the protests". Morseu-Diop said, "I think the Australian government should be more outspoken. New Zealand is doing a lot more". But she noted that because Australia, like France, is a major power in the Pacific, the Australian government was unlikely to support the rights of the Maohi people and others in the Pacific. She reported that following her discussions with Maohi people "they were horrified and shocked to hear about the plight of people at Maralinga and what Australia was doing in East Timor, West Papua and Bougainville." While French and Australian government policy has kept the ideas and experiences of indigenous peoples in the region apart, Morseu-Diop said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegation has helped to turn that around. They plan to maintain the links they established and bring a group of Maohi to Australia so that the process can continue.