Unrepentant spy

Christine Cabon (‘‘Rainbow Warrior spy speaks out’’, July 9) talks of New Zealand having a pacifist spirit. Tell that to the families of the servicemen and women who fought and died defending France in two world wars. Her refusal to apologise for a state-sponsored act of terrorism reeks of arrogance.

Being ex-Army and the grandson of a World War I soldier (he fought at Passchendaele), I really find her attitude offensive. We were taught to follow orders but not blindly and not if you knew they were illegal or seriously immoral.

Chris Aimers, Dunedin As we recall the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, and consequent death of photographer Fernando Pereira, we do well, too, to remember that neither of our two closest allies, the UK and the US, uttered a critical word against France. To Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan we, being antinuclear, were the real villains, and we had simply got what we deserved.

France is not the only country which owes us an apology.

R. Porteous, Auckland The attack on the Rainbow Warrior in July 1985 remains a hugely emotional issue for many New Zealanders.

Cabon’s glib statements that ‘‘it’s too late to go back in time’’ and ‘‘my job was what it was’’ and the very decided lack of apology are reminiscent of the arrogant French government of the day – not able to tolerate the protests of New Zealanders and Greenpeace regarding the nuclear testing at Mururoa.

I hope there is still a warrant out for her arrest. She has never paid any price for her part in the death of Pereira.

Had she apologised to his family and the New Zealand public, as her compatriot did, and returned the medals of honour she received, she may have edged a little closer to forgiveness by us.

BD Armstrong, Cromwell