Payout for Fiji veterans of British atomic tests
Suva (Fiji) (AFP) - Fiji soldiers exposed to radiation during British nuclear tests in the Pacific more than 56 years ago are finally to receive compensation, a government minister was reported as saying Tuesday.
More than 70 military personnel, unaware of the mission they were on, were deployed from the then-British colony of Fiji to Christmas Island, now part of the island nation of Kiribati, during the British tests in 1958 at the height of the cold war.
After decades of campaigning for compensation by veterans and their children who have suffered health problems, the payout was confirmed to the Fiji Sun newspaper by National Security and Defence Minister Timoci Natuva.
Although no specific details were released, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is expected to announce compensation to benefit the families of all the soldiers.
"The Prime Minister will officiate at the event this Friday," Natuva said.
One of the surviving veterans, Maleli Naigulegu, said it was "the greatest news" he had heard since returning from the mission.
"At last my group has been recognised," the 80-year-old said, adding they had not briefed about the purpose of their mission.
