In which harbour was the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior blown up in 1985?

The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, code-named Opération Satanique, was an operation by the "action" branch of the French foreign intelligence services, the Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (DGSE), carried out on 10 July 1985. During the operation, two operatives sank the flagship of the Greenpeace fleet, the Rainbow Warrior in the port of Auckland, New Zealand on its way to a protest against a planned French nuclear test in Moruroa. Fernando Pereira, a photographer, drowned on the sinking ship.

France initially denied responsibility, but two French agents were captured by New Zealand Police and charged with arson, conspiracy to commit arson, willful damage, and murder. As the truth came out, the scandal resulted in the resignation of the French Defence Minister Charles Hernu.

The two agents pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were sentenced to ten years in prison. They spent just over two years confined to the French island of Hao before being freed by the French government.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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23 Comments

Mr.LaFaye

I remember this, it was very sad and pathetic how everyone involved got away with it. Two years in prison was a joke. The French government got away with the sinking of this ship.

Rob Farr

A shameful act of murder by the French... they should never be allowed to forget their infamy.

Don Storjord

I am not a green but murder or manslaughter should be punished more severely than 2 years ,government official should be in jail too

Lorna Lake

It was a truly disgusting attack perpetrated in a cruel and cowardly way - truly shocking that the French government of the day authorised it. I never thought the sentence was anything like adequate and the 'recompense' to the murdered man was also horribly inadequate.

nzscubadiver

This is a dark day in New Zealand’s history. The rainbow warrior now lays peacefully as a diveable marine reserve in Matare Bay in the Bay if Islands , Northland. It’s a beautiful scuba dive and continues to recognise Greenpeace for the Environmental work done around the world.

john duckett

NZ was coerced by the French Government to let the agents serve on their sentence on Hao, and then the French government released them after 2 years.

ninakamwene

My daughter is half Kiwi and we love Kiwi Land. May all those who perished RIP.

Irene Townsend

I Remember it Knew the french wouldn't serve the full sentence for murder, though they did say no-one was meant to be on board, believe he went back to get the films and his camera. The french government just laughed at New Zealand when Lange just handed the terrorist back.

Chris Brown

I live in Wellington and remember it too. I wrote a poem about it at the time.

janellejaworski

Huh July 10, 1985 that was after my cousin Emily was born on February 13, 1985.

David Coe

The French are prepared to break any law for their own benefit.

Irene Townsend

Richard Jamieson, Probably couldn't get a picture cos it sunk, lol

mhfagin

Tony Elwood, my Dad said the same, the Vichy French tried to always pick the winning side.

kite005

Sounds more like something Israel does.

Peter Robertson

Andrew King, These threats were the reason Lange,the NZ PM capitulated,but he should have called the French bluff.I doubt the EU would have been happy if the French had applied sanctions.

james parrillo

Tony Elwood, Thank you for sharing. Christine, James's wife

garyjohnsusmc

Eco-terrorists

Irish Kiwi

i was living there at the time. The Americans knew but didn't mention it as we had been demoted from ally to friendly nation due to our anti nuclear policy.