British Nuclear Test Veterans Association
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Committee News
Paris Conference
18-22 January 2002
Sheila Gray - Secretary
(Read a transcript of Sheila's full speech by clicking here)
By invitation, I attended the Conference and found it very worthwhile and interesting. There were approx 300 people in attendance, ten of which speakers. It was organised by the French Nuclear Veterans Association, which came into being, on I June 2001 and has about 400 members. Their last test took place on the 16th February 1966. Need I say, they have the same illnesses as our men!
In attendance, the speaker delegates were from France, USA, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, myself representing the UK and Senator Lyn Allison from Australia. Everyone had a similar story to tell and so could understand what each other was suffering.
Friday 18th was the day we all arrived and we held a casual meeting in the evening so that we could meet each other.
Saturday 19th was the day of the full Conference which lasted from 9am until 6pm. We were all allowed fifteen minutes to speak - our papers had gone ahead for translation - then there was a Question Time afterwards for those attending as observers. It was a very moving day and there was only one incident of discord when one of the audience (we later learned that he was a 'high up' in the French Nuclear Industry) stood up and told everyone that there had never been a mistake made! Many people took umbrage to this and at first he was nearly evicted from the hail. However, everyone calmed down after I thanked him for confirming what we all knew - that what had been done to our men was deliberate. I was thanked for pointing this out to him. When it came to question time he again tied to cause Trouble but the Chairman of the Conference soon put him in his place again!
Sunday 2Oth A meeting was held in the morning, chaired by Senator Lyn Allison. It was decided that we would all remain separate in our own organisations but that a communal information bank would be set up so that we could share information. We decided that the title should be 'Paris International Nuclear Test Network'. It is also the intention that regular meetings should be held so that each group can report its work and progress and in between, maintain close contact
In the afternoon we were all taken for a sightseeing cruise on the River Seine which was very enjoyable.
Monday 21st was partly a free day because we had been talking at various small meetings ever since we arrived, but another small meeting was held later in the afternoon. We were taken to Montmartre for dinner in the evening.
Tuesday 22nd we were invited to attend the National Assembly to meet two French MPs and also hold a press conference. These MPs were going into Parliament on Wednesday 23rd January, to ask the French Government to pay for Blood and Saliva tests on their veterans. It was a good Press Conference and everyone had time to put over their own special points. There was one journalist that I knew because she had come over here last year, to interview other veterans, Tom Wilson, and myself for French TV. She remembered me and came over and reminded me of this.
I left for the UK at 15.35 hrs, absolutely exhausted but felt it had all been worthwhile. Once again we have to thank Sue Rabbitt Roff for the initial invitation. When she was in Tahiti last summer, she had 'told about us' and that had caught their interest Sue was going to attend with me but unfortunately, because of family problems, she had to cry off at the last moment - she was sorely missed.
Derrick and Ann Redfern at the last moment decided to drive over to Paris so that they 'could look after me' because my health is still causing problems. I was very pleased to have their company and they were a great help to me as my 'mobility is still a bit of a problem' - thank you Derrick and Ann, very much. It is good to have friends like you!
I can confirm that the Fijian Government started paying out War Pensions as from the 3lst January this year. The Fijian delegate was Paul Aphoy who is the Vice President of their organisation and a delight to speak with. Also, most pleasant and friendly, were the Tahitians. I am hoping we have made some good new friends.
It was good meeting, at long last, with Roy (Chairman of the NZ Vets Ass) and Joan Sefton from New Zealand. We have talked by fax and telephone for many years but this is the first chance we have had to meet face to face - we had a lot to talk about!
The whole five days were well organised and money did not seem to be a problem - lucky them! They made us all feel most welcome and took great care of us. Nobody's health problem - and there were quite a few as you can imagine - caused them bother, they dealt with each one as if it was their own. We could not have asked for better treatment