Bomb test vets take claims to High Court

An organisation representing New Zealand Navy veterans who blame nuclear bomb fallout for chronic health problems, filed legal papers yesterday to sue the Government for millions of dollars.

Rimpac Association of New Zealand president Trevor Humphrey said the papers in the High Court at Wellington were for "multimillion- dollar claims" against the Government.

Rimpac represents New Zealand naval personnel who served on the HMNZS Rotoiti and Pukaki at the Operation Grapple thermonuclear hydrogen and atomic atmospheric bomb tests at Malden and Christmas Islands between 1957 and 1958.

"This is the next major step in what has been five years of intensive research by an outstanding and dedicated team of Rimpac members and advisers," Mr Humphrey said.

"All of the claimants are now disabled or dead, some suffering from a vast range of disablements and chronic illnesses and have been subjected to diabolical disregard by Governments of New Zealand."

Veterans' Affairs Minister Mark Burton would not comment on the legal action but defended his Government's record in helping veterans affected by the British nuclear tests.

He said the New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans' Association had been given $200,000 to research the health of children of Vietnam and Operation Grapple veterans and a further $100,000 had been allocated.

He said veterans who observed nuclear tests in the Pacific in the late 1950s were eligible for full coverage under the War Pensions Act and reimbursement of medical expenses for disabilities that were linked to their service.

But the legal action was described as "gutsy" by Vietnam Veterans Association of New Zealand president John Moller, who said his group was to do the same.

"From the Vietnam Veterans' point of view, we applaud the stance by ex-servicemen and their families who have been treated abysmally by the Crown.

"We ourselves are looking at similar legal action on behalf of Vietnam Veterans and their families who have been badly treated by respective Governments over a very long time."

Mr Moller said his association was to meet legal advisers at the end of this month to discuss action.

"It is very likely we will be suing for damages this year."

- NZPA