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Dear All
Hello
This is a story which should be given more coverage given that this is time of
Remberance Day:
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Successive UK governments have so far spent around £5m blocking legal action by the veterans, who witnessed nuclear tests to get compensation.
The official position is that there is no correlation between the veterans’ medical conditions and the tests. In any event, it is held, the time limit for such litigation has passed.
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The exact number of those affected is thought to be around 25,000.
They watched the nuclear tests with no protective clothing or equipment.
Many have since died.
Mr Liddiat, of the British Nuclear Test Veterans’ Association (BNTVA) said:
“Three years ago our membership stood at 2,000, now it’s a thousand.
I think there are similar falls in numbers among others who are not members.
We are not focused purely on getting compensation any more.
"We would like official recognition of what happened and help in starting a benevolent fund for those who fell ill as well as for their children and grandchildren.
"Some of these illnesses have gone through generations.”
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Another campaigner Douglas Hern, from Lincolnshire, was a 23-year-old naval cook based in the Christmas Islands at the time of the tests.
“I think there was callous disregard by those who carried out these tests, not just towards us, but the local people as well.
Mr Hern, now 75, continued:
“What went on at the time was astonishing, but so few people know about it.
"I was doing a collection recently for the British Legion and out of 200 people
I spoke to only five knew about these tests and how people were exposed"
"We need to tell the public what happened, we should not be simply forgotten.”
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America and France have already accepted responsibility to their personnel and paid out compensation to those affected by the tests in the Pacific and Australia.
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Later this week, a debate takes place in the Commons about the plight
of the servicemen raised by John Baron, the Conservative MP for Billlericay,
a persistent campaigner on the issue.
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With deepest respect to the campaigners.
Sincere wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
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EOS,
Check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_nuclear_tests_at_Maralinga
Terrible!
To try to deny that people weren't exposed is the most hypocritical thing any Government can do to these veterans, and others, in their fight for compensation.
As you say, deepest respect to the campaigners!
Allan
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Dear Allan
Hello
Thank you for adding to this post. <3
I read the link.
The monumental arrogance of any country to test these weapons in
another country.
What a pity the scientists who developed these weapons did not devote their
time to find cures for illnesses.
Take gentle care Allan.
Best wishes
Elizabeth
xx
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EOS,
I am so sorry that this thread has not had more responses!
We decry the people who during the last world war used prisoners as human medical guinea pigs, yet seem happy to let servicemen in peacetime be used for the same purpose
Very kind regards
Allan
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