Opposition to nuclear testing in the Pacific voiced; action on refugees and peace-keeping taken.

Opposition to nuclear testing in the Pacific voiced; action on refugees and peace-keeping taken

Underground nuclear testing by France at Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific was discussed in the Special Political Committee in October during a review of the effects of atomic radiation. Several of the 20 nations participating in the debate opposed such testing.

The Committee on 7 October, after considering the report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, approved by consensus a draft asking the General Assembly to request the Scientific Committee to continue to increase knowledge of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation from all sources.

By the text, the Scientific Committee would also be commended for the valuable contribution it had been making over the past 30 years. Continued and growing scientific co-operation between it and the United Nations Environment Programme was noted. Member States, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations concerned would be asked to continue to provide the Committee with further relevant data on doses, effects and risks from various sources of radiation.

The Scientific Committee's report (A/40/417) on its 1985 session (Vienna, 10-14 June) focused on technical discussions on radiation- induced cancer; biological effects of pre-natal irradiation; early effects of high radiation doses; exposures from nuclear explosions and from the production of nuclear-weapon materials; current exposures received globally from the production of nuclear power; and hereditary effects of radiation.

On 10 October, the Committee approved without a vote a draft asking the General Assembly to renew the mandate of the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations. Established by the Assembly in 1965, the Committee has worked since 1966 on guidelines to govern the conduct of United Nations peace-keeping operations, devoting attention to practical implementation of such operations.

On 15 October, the Special Political Committee recommended without a vote that the General Assembly extend the mandate of the Group of Governmental Experts on International Co-operation to Avert New Flows of Refugees. The Group of Experts, established in 1981 by the Assembly to review the refugee problem in order to develop recommendations regarding international co-operation in that field, would be asked to submit its report to the 1986 Assembly.

The Committee on 16 October recommended...