The Opening of the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand - March 3, 1997
1997 · Auckland, New Zealand
The Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand, opens as the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior
Overview
On July 10, 1985, the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior was sunk in Auckland Harbour, New Zealand, by French intelligence agents. This covert operation, known as Operation Satanique, aimed to prevent the vessel from interfering with France’s nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean.
Background
The Rainbow Warrior was a flagship vessel of Greenpeace, an environmental organization known for its activism against nuclear testing and environmental degradation. During the 1980s, Greenpeace was actively campaigning against nuclear tests conducted by France in the South Pacific, particularly at Mururoa Atoll.
The Incident
- Date: July 10, 1985
- Location: Auckland Harbour, New Zealand
- Perpetrators: French intelligence agency, the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE)
Key Events
Preparation: French agents, posing as tourists, infiltrated New Zealand to carry out the mission. They transported explosives and planned the attack meticulously.
Execution: On the night of July 10, agents attached two limpet mines to the hull of the Rainbow Warrior. The first explosion created a hole in the ship, and the second explosion, minutes later, ensured it sank.
Casualty: The explosions resulted in the death of Fernando Pereira, a Portuguese-Dutch photographer and Greenpeace crew member, who drowned when the ship sank.
Aftermath
Investigation: New Zealand authorities quickly launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of two French agents, Dominique Prieur and Alain Mafart, who were caught trying to flee the country.
International Outcry: The attack drew widespread condemnation from the international community, straining France’s diplomatic relations with New Zealand and other nations.
Legal Consequences: Prieur and Mafart were sentenced to ten years in prison for manslaughter but were transferred to French custody after serving a fraction of their sentences, following a controversial agreement between France and New Zealand.
Reparations: France eventually paid compensation to Greenpeace and the New Zealand government, acknowledging its responsibility for the attack.
Broader Historical Significance
The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior highlighted the lengths to which governments might go to protect their strategic interests, even at the cost of international law and relations. It also underscored the growing influence and impact of environmental activism during the late 20th century. The incident remains a pivotal moment in the history of Greenpeace and environmental advocacy, symbolizing the risks faced by activists challenging powerful state interests.