NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, July 10th is the 20th Anniversary of when two members of the French secret service (I think it is the DGSE) sunk the Rainbow Warrior (a greenpeace ship) in the harbour in Auckland, New Zealand.

The greenpeace link with info is here (http://archive.greenpeace.org/comms/rw/pkbomb.html).

Basically the French were pissed at greenpeace attracting negative attention to their nuclear testing in the French Attols so just before it was due to head out again a team of French secret service agents came to NZ, planted explosives on the rainbow warrior to disable it.

As they were doing this in little NZ that noone cares about, the secret service agents were very careless, which led to two of their agents being arrested by NZ police after only a couple of days.

Unfortunatly this caused the death of a Portugese photographer (Fernando Pereira). Because of this the french bought the secret agents for NZ$13 million (US$6.5 million) and that the French agents would be stuck on an atol in the pacific up by the equator for 3 years (I bet they were annoyed :p). Although both agents were off the island in under 2.

I dont know if this has ever made any news or anything overseas and was just wanting you to know that the french arent always 100% innocent.

(Just kidding, I have nothing against french people, I hope to visit there soon)

by the way, I did a quick search but couldnt find anything on this here so sorry if a thread has already been posted

Oh yeah that reminds me that I was meaning to make a thread on the rainbow warrior. Thanks for saving me the effort :p

Us Aussies know it all to well. Damn conniving sexy French. Don't they know Australia is the only nation who can bully the Kiwis? :p

Not surprised. Everybody spies on everybody. There are surely American spies in Britain and North Korean spies in China and the like. Just that France and New Zealand aren't exactly the key players on the world stage, and so many many many of these incidents are passed by the media.

Not surprised. Everybody spies on everybody. There are surely American spies in Britain and North Korean spies in China and the like. Just that France and New Zealand aren't exactly the key players on the world stage, and so many many many of these incidents are passed by the media.

There's a difference between spying and blowing stuff up...

Not surprised. Everybody spies on everybody. There are surely American spies in Britain and North Korean spies in China and the like. Just that France and New Zealand aren't exactly the key players on the world stage, and so many many many of these incidents are passed by the media.

I have nothing wrong with spying, anyone can feel free to spy on NZ (Dont know why they would want to) its just the whole thing of governments bombing ships in other countries harbours, and the vigourously denying it that I have issues with, especially when they arent having any major conflict

Oh yeah that reminds me that I was meaning to make a thread on the rainbow warrior. Thanks for saving me the effort :p

Yeah, I was going to earlier in the day, then again in the middle etc. Just a pity it happened to be the start of the next day when I finally did it

OMG. Forgive me! I misread the post, lol...

too sleepy.

Where did you hear this from???

lol france blew up a nz ship im suprised they didnt stuff it up like nam and ww2 :p and yeah only us aussies can pick on NZ its like picking on sum one elses little brother, its ok for you to do it but when sum one else does its just not on ;)

Heh. SOme 'secret agents'. They can't even blow up a pacifist's boat without getting caught. :p

Now I know what Inspector Cluseau has been up to. :D

OMG. Forgive me! I misread the post, lol...

too sleepy.

Where did you hear this from???

As its classed as NZ's only ever terrorist attack, and probably the only attack in our waters or on land by another county since colonial days its big in NZ, all over the news and everything as celebrations were yesterday our time

As they were doing this in little NZ that noone cares about...
I care.

But I'm not going to hold the entire nation of France responsible for the actions of a few people.

.....

I dont know if this has ever made any news or anything overseas and was just wanting you to know that the french arent always 100% innocent.

...

The attack, and the French nuclear tests, were very big international news at the time. Even the anniversary made the national news here in the UK today.

But I'm not going to hold the entire nation of France responsible for the actions of a few people.

Unofficially it was the French Government that did it, Officially it was the secret agents working alone, and a coincedence that the head of the DGSE was fired, and the Minister of Defence resigned within months of it.

I'd heard about this, and when I visited Auckland I saw a commemorative plaque. As a Frenchman, I'd like to apologise to New Zeland (and Greenpeace) on behalf of my country.

lol france blew up a nz ship im suprised they didnt stuff it up like nam and ww2 :p and yeah only us aussies can pick on NZ its like picking on sum one elses little brother, its ok for you to do it but when sum one else does its just not on ;)
Plus NZ has been invading Australia for decades... they've already conquered Bondi with the help of the English :p

I'd heard about this, and when I visited Auckland I saw a commemorative plaque. As a Frenchman, I'd like to apologise to New Zeland (and Greenpeace) on behalf of my country.
We don't blame your country, only your government.

But that is a really nice gesture Ariddia :)

:fluffle: <- man hugs

In the US Navy, when the Greenpeace protestors try to board our vessels, we hit them with firehoses. It's fun.

I have nothing wrong with spying, anyone can feel free to spy on NZ (Dont know why they would want to) its just the whole thing of governments bombing ships in other countries harbours, and the vigourously denying it that I have issues with, especially when they arent having any major conflict

The funny part? fat load of bloody use ANZUS was to NZ; one attack on a member was an attack on all of them; interesting, no retribution against France - should be a clear message to any country with a treaty with America - its completely worthless.

In the US Navy, when the Greenpeace protestors try to board our vessels, we hit them with firehoses. It's fun.

There was an incident a while ago (about 10 years i think, not sure) when the rainbow warrior II (I think either the French or NZ government bought them a new boat) was protesting against the French (again) the french navy boarded the ship and arrested everyone on board

I dont think the French get on very well with greenpeace :confused:

The funny part? fat load of bloody use ANZUS was to NZ; one attack on a member was an attack on all of them; interesting, no retribution against France - should be a clear message to any country with a treaty with America - its completely worthless.

As NZ didnt have major disagreements till '86 and get kicked out, yes, you are correct, but I also notice that the closest member of that treaty, Australia, did nothing, maybe it shows not to trust either of them :p

Although I dont think the French officially admitted doing it, so it was the french people who did it, not the government which would mean that the Aussies and Yanks werent needed

As NZ didnt have major disagreements till '86 and get kicked out, yes, you are correct, but I also notice that the closest member of that treaty, Australia, did nothing, maybe it shows not to trust either of them :p

Agreed :P

I wouldn't trust the Australians either; treaty's are worthless - sign them if you want, but it doesn't mean a damn unless they hold up their side of the bargin.

Although I dont think the French officially admitted doing it, so it was the french people who did it, not the government which would mean that the Aussies and Yanks werent needed

Of course the French wouldn't admit it, just as the Israelis failed to admit that they had spies in NZ forging passports, even though they were caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

In the US Navy, when the Greenpeace protestors try to board our vessels, we hit them with firehoses. It's fun.
If you hit him just soft enough to not knock them in the ocean, they'll come back at you and you can shoot them again! :)

I have nothing wrong with spying, anyone can feel free to spy on NZ
are we free to use NZ passports for undercover missions?

we need to kidnap and kill a few Europeans...but we don't want them to know it was us (insert random secret service)...

I would prefer if they think it was the Kiwis...

I dont know if this has ever made any news or anything overseas and was just wanting you to know that the french arent always 100% innocent.
Well, even if the French did it, its the US's fault. Because of Quantum.
:p

are we free to use NZ passports for undercover missions?

we need to kidnap and kill a few Europeans...but we don't want them to know it was us (insert random secret service)...

I would prefer if they think it was the Kiwis...

Yeah Mossad tried that one.

Yeah Mossad tried that one.

LOL, yeap, they seem to learn nothing; the were first told off for their crappy intelligence after the Iraq war (there was a inquiry by the Israeli government over the issue) and now they get given a slap with a wet bus ticket over passport fraud.

Maybe if they started losing intelligence agents to long jail terms they would start shaping up? After all, spies don't get any protection whatsoever from the Geneva convention if memory serves. So getting a long jail term for them once they get caught with a hand in the cookey jar should be easy to do.

I dont think the French get on very well with greenpeace :confused:

Well, if memory serves, France continued nuclear testing well after the US, UK, and USSR stopped.

I very much dislike the French! How could they've done that to good ol' NZ.

Maybe if they started losing intelligence agents to long jail terms they would start shaping up? After all, spies don't get any protection whatsoever from the Geneva convention if memory serves. So getting a long jail term for them once they get caught with a hand in the cookey jar should be easy to do.spies should get mandatory minimum 10 year sentences.

Being a patriotic Kiwi, the issue of the Rainbow Warrior bombing bothers me. I deplore France's terrorist action, but I am also very against the anti-nuclear and generally over reacting, Hippie stance of Greenpeace. I see it as a case of France vs. Greenpeace, but the battle had to take place in NZ.

Being so against Greenpeace, I feel that the Hippies deserved a good whoopin'! But why did it have to take place in NZ?!

France, being a world power, I suppose it's easier for them to have it their way.

I very much dislike the French! How could they've done that to good ol' NZ.

Maybe we're taking revenge by competing with them on the intl. wine market.

spies should get mandatory minimum 10 year sentences.

Spies face the firing squad.

Oops! We don't have that here!

Perhaps an "accidental death" during transport?

Oh yeah that reminds me that I was meaning to make a thread on the rainbow warrior. Thanks for saving me the effort :p
Ditto and it took me 3 days to find it too. :p

I hold everything against the French.
Silly fools with their Bully Boy tactics.

Perhaps an "accidental death" during transport?

What sort of accident in mind? Poison or explosion?

The trick with the George Bush I claim that America had withdrawn all Tactical Nucleaur(Damn spelling) Weapons from ships intended to come/go to New Zealand.
-See heres the trick what about Strategic Nukes?
They are the ones that would get us in the problems of a Cold War.
I dont mind Nucleaur Ships but im against the Weapons.
The Anti-nuke issue got derailed by the commie-liberals and made into an Nuke issue.
People have claimed that American Nucleuar powered ships cannot enter New Zealand ports this is not true.

And someone also claimed that when the US fleet sailed into Tokyo Bay WWII ended and it wouldnt have been possible if the Americans had to withdraw every 3 days to meet Supply ships.

-With that argument 2 Nucleur Bombs won the war not ships entering the Harbour.
-I wasnt aware of the Entire American Pacific Fleet being powered by Nucleaur energy let alone part.
-Last time i checked Carrier Born Bombing raids(overall) won it(the war) not ships sitting in the Bay.

I missed the Thursday or Friday Documentary on the Rainbow Warrior but i did see Close Up and it reported thr French underestimated our 'Noseyness'

LOL

What sort of accident in mind? Poison or explosion?
Nah something more like Drowning after the Transport vehicle goes off the road.

Like I've mentioned before, as we're unable to protect ourselves fully. The ANZUS treaty must be utilized to it's full extend- that is, allowing the USN to enter our waters, regardless of their propulsion and armaments. After all, hospital patients undergoing radiotherapy release more radioactive elements into our waters than nuclear ships ever will. The USN isn't leaky like those ageing nuclear subs from Russia.

Thats true Sino and the Sky Tower Emits Radiation and theres some form of Nuke Generator in Petone.

Im all for the ships(well mostly) but the weapons are a no-no.
China's prescence in Tonga worries me.
But Australia worries me more.-Its good to see they gave East Tiomr 1/3 0f what was already ET's(Oil/Gas reserves)

China's prescence in Tonga worries me.


Is it because the Pacific is suddenly not so American for a change? China supplying arms to Tonga's military and having diplomatic relations is entirely their business. Some how, nobody complains when the world's biggest arms producer and dealer- the United States, proliferate freely to 'freedom fighters'. I do not see how there is a significant presence of China in Tonga as there are no Chinese troops in that country. The only Chinese 'presence' in the world are special police peacekeepers in Haiti operating under UN orders along with a motley garisson of other nations.

There has been an ongoing diplomatic war between the Mainland and the Taiwanese separatists over the Pacific island nations. Seeing that both the Dragon (the PRC) and the Rat* (Taiwanese separatists) ply these nations with aid, it is only beneficial for them to suck up to these giants. After all, their primary concern is to have a few hundred more kids in school instead of all this rhetoric about their ocean being a "stomping ground" for the powerful nations. Being more powerful economically, the phony Taiwanese will lose out in this aid war eventually. During the process, many nations will benefit from Chinese sponsorships.

Of course, NZ is not eligiable to worry as it need to rely on Uncle Sam and Aunty Kangaroo* for defense.


*I made them up.

Aunty Kangaroo-Impressive.

Well im not in favour of American influence either the way i see it is all the World Super Powers have been vying for our hand and manipulating us to their own ends when will we actually get something out of it that we wouldnt neccasarily need if they hadnt have created this situation?
Yes China likes to Fish in Tonga and teach The King how to oppress :p

The trick with the George Bush I claim that America had withdrawn all Tactical Nucleaur(Damn spelling) Weapons from ships intended to come/go to New Zealand.
-See heres the trick what about Strategic Nukes?
They are the ones that would get us in the problems of a Cold War.
I dont mind Nucleaur Ships but im against the Weapons.
The Anti-nuke issue got derailed by the commie-liberals and made into an Nuke issue.
People have claimed that American Nucleuar powered ships cannot enter New Zealand ports this is not true.

And someone also claimed that when the US fleet sailed into Tokyo Bay WWII ended and it wouldnt have been possible if the Americans had to withdraw every 3 days to meet Supply ships.

-With that argument 2 Nucleur Bombs won the war not ships entering the Harbour.
-I wasnt aware of the Entire American Pacific Fleet being powered by Nucleaur energy let alone part.
-Last time i checked Carrier Born Bombing raids(overall) won it(the war) not ships sitting in the Bay.

I missed the Thursday or Friday Documentary on the Rainbow Warrior but i did see Close Up and it reported thr French underestimated our 'Noseyness'

LOL

The war officially ended in Tokyo Harbour (MacArthur can make "sign the surrender document at the places indicated" sound profound!), though all bets were off long before that.

US Surface ships almost got into the strategic nuclear game in the 1950's, when the USN, USAF, and US Army were fighting over who would have the nuclear deterrent.

The USAF wanted to do it with land based bombers, the USN with carrier based bombers, and the Army with missiles. The USAF won, and also took over the missile side.

The Ohio class submarines carry strategic nuclear weapons (Trident).

President Bush-41 ordered the removal of all tactical nuclear weapons from US surface ships. Tomahawks mostly, though they may have carried nuclear depth charges and ASROC. Damned sensible too, removing a nuclear Tomahawk you can't use leaves room for a conventional one you can use.

Us Aussies know it all to well. Damn conniving sexy French. Don't they know Australia is the only nation who can bully the Kiwis? :p

I would've said something of the like, but you beat me to it. So I guess I'll just agree with you then,

-snip-

Thanks for confirming all that!

-this clown in the paper ranting about Nucleur powered ships in WWII
I thought he was off his rocker!

I know the Traty was signed in the Bay on the Mighty Mo but not needing fuel supply ships because they were Nucluer armed was just crazy talk.
Silly Rightwingers.

Yes China likes to Fish in Tonga and teach The King how to oppress :p

NZ likes to fish in the Cooks and American trawlers are often spotted near Samoa. At long as they're operating legally, it shouldn't be an issue.

Yes, if the king is a willing student. LOL!

While busily bitching about the USN's nuclear capabilities in the late '80s, a Soviet nuclear sub could have easily slipped into our waters. the soviets were known to travel this far.

The mostly likely theory about the disappearance of the crew of the 'Joyita' is that some Soviet submarine surfaced near them with a lack of fuel, killed the crew and took the ship's fuel before sailing back to the Red Empire.

A few nuclear ships in the harbor is still better than one of these in the bush:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/w9.htm

That is true and Russian ships were in our waters.
Ive seen a cartoon of NZers telling the US where to get off and under the water is a USSR Sub and little speech bubbles show laughing.-All the evidence i need.

I have nothing wrong with spying, anyone can feel free to spy on NZ (Dont know why they would want to) its just the whole thing of governments bombing ships in other countries harbours, and the vigourously denying it that I have issues with, especially when they arent having any major conflict
quite rite!!

and dont worry, this tale gets told often in the UK, we take all france's *uck-ups with a great deal of enjoyment!

I just want to say: Good for France. Darn uppity hippies.

I just want to say: Good for France. Darn uppity hippies.

The hippies brought us the trouble and terror. If the 'Rainbow Warrior' docked in some other country, it wouldn't have been NZ's problem.

That is true and Russian ships were in our waters.
Ive seen a cartoon of NZers telling the US where to get off and under the water is a USSR Sub and little speech bubbles show laughing.-All the evidence i need.

The first and last time I saw that cartoon was in a history textbook during high school. I thought it was based on some real event.

Ya know, if the USN or the Red Navy wants to sail a nuclear sub into our waters they would and could have done it in total secrecy. After all, the only places like the Cook Islands answer to NZ.

At least these countries conduct their operations with greater care and secrecy than the French.