101.   It was the second protest this month against the French against the French nuclear tests.

102.   Keating said the resumption of French tests threatened the viability of a proposed comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, which France has promised to sign next year.

103.   Last month, the same group demonstrated in front of the French embassy to protest French nuclear tests in the South Pacific planned to start in September.

104.   Meanwhile Prime Paul Keating said Australia will take its protest against the French tests to the United Nations.

105.   Meanwhile the Northern Territory government has called on the Australian government to ensure that no uranium mined there is used as fuel for French nuclear tests.

106.   Military officials in Papeete said Saturday that two British protesters for Greenpeace caught on Mururoa atoll hours before the French test were to be expelled.

107.   Next week, the French nuclear tests will be among the issues to be considered in Quito, Ecuador, by leaders of the Group of Rio countries.

108.   New Zealand has warned that its relations with France will be damaged if French tests begin again.

109.   New Zealand had asked the court to ban the French nuclear tests that so enraged some South Pacific nations, but the court refused.

110.   New Zealand has been a vocal campaigner against the French tests begun in September despite international condemnation.