Subject: HEADLINES 16-17 October 1995

      Oct 16 (Reuter) - France's south Pacific nuclear weapons
test site is unstable and there is a risk of landslides and
tidal waves which could submerge Polynesia, a French
vulcanologist said. "The shockwave from a new explosion...
could be the trigger which would cause the detachment of
(previously) disturbed sections of rock," he said. The expert
also said that current levels of radioactivity were not
necessarily a problem but the risk of landslides was.

      Oct 16 (Reuter) - A group of British members of
parliament called for a ban on French products in the bars and
restaurants of the House of Commons to protest over French
nuclear tests in the South Pacific.

      Oct 17 (Reuter) - Italy's parliament condemned French
and Chinese nuclear tests and urged the government to speak
out strongly against testing. Deputies voted in favour of
three motions presented by the Greens, who have declared
October 21 a day of anti-nuclear protests in Italy, and two
other groups.

      Oct 17 (Reuter) - South Africa's Atomic Energy
Corporation (AEC) sought a court order barring the screening
of a television drama which it said harmed its image. The AEC,
which played a key role in developing South Africa's now
dismantled nuclear warheads, obtained an urgent court order
last week forcing the state broadcaster to cancel the third
episode of the fictional series "Die Laksman" (The
Executioner) minutes before it was due to be aired.

      Oct 16 (Reuter) - France will pay French Polynesia the
annual cost of running its nuclear test facilities for 10
years after closing down the South Pacific sites next year.
The money - 1.5 billion francs ($300 million) a year - would
be used to create jobs and develop the islands, making up for
the closure of the military facilities at Mururoa and
Fangataufa atolls. 

      Oct 17 (Reuter) - Widespread protests against France's
resumption of nuclear tests in the Pacific have not harmed its
trade with other countries, French Secretary of State for
Foreign Trade Christine Chauvet said.

      Oct 17 (Reuter) - Anti-nuclear protesters presented an
alternative menu rich in radioactivity to guests at the
opening of a French festival in the Cambodian capital. As
Cambodian and foreign guests arrived for the opening
reception, demonstrators urged them to boycott French products
and handed out copies of a menu to the fictitious Chez Jacques
restaurant.

      Oct 17 (Reuter) - The Defence Council has launched a
review of France's nuclear strike force, the daily Le Monde
said. The review coincides with a series of nuclear tests in
the South Pacific which have caused international outrage. But
it has been on the cards for months and does not appear to be
a consequence of protests. France at present could launch
nuclear strikes with land-based strategic missiles, from
submarines and from Mirage IV bombers.