Tributes paid to advocate of French nuclear test victims

1:27 pm on 19 March 2019

Tributes have been paid in French Polynesia to Roland Oldham, the late leading advocate of the victims of France's nuclear weapons tests.

Roland Oldham, head of Mururoa e Tatou

Roland Oldham, head of Mururoa e Tatou Photo: RNZ / Walter Zweifel

The co-founder of the Moruroa e tatou veterans organisation died at the weekend at the age of 68.

The French High Commissioner Rene Bidal praised him for his dignity which he described as rare and inspiring.

The French Polynesian government says the relationship with him wasn't always easy but marked by frankness.

The head of the territorial assembly says Mr Oldham struggled for the truth and a cause whose legitimacy is now recognised by everybody.

He has hailed Mr Oldham as a man of action and conviction whose noble combat will mark the country's history.

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