LETTER: Pacific nuclear tests: French public opinion, British history, Labour policy

From Ms Birthe King

Sir: I was very sad to read about the death of Dr Erich Geiringer. Besides his many splendid achievements listed in the obituary (8 September), he was also the person behind the world-wide movement of representatives of IPPNW (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) and its UK affiliate, Medical Action for Global Security, and other similar international organisations, to lobby and persuade the WHO Assembly to forward a resolution to the International Court in The Hague that nuclear weapons and the threat of use of nuclear weapons be declared illegal. A decision by the court is expected later this year.

Ironically, had a positive decision been declared, the French nuclear weapons test in the Pacific would likewise have been illegal.

Yours faithfully,

Birthe King

London, N3