A new book casts fresh light on the 1985 Rainbow Warrior bombing, probing françois Mitterrand’s potential obligation for this pivotal event in French history. Investigative journalist Hervé Gattegno’s work re-examines the bombing of the Greenpeace vessel, which was protesting French nuclear tests, and the resulting death of a photographer. The book promises to reveal further details about the incident, challenging previous accounts and potentially reshaping our understanding of the scandal. The Rainbow Warrior bombing, a key moment for environmental activism, has always sparked debates around governmental accountability. News Directory 3 provides the context. Discover what’s next as this inquiry unfolds.
New Book Reopens Inquiry Into Rainbow Warrior Bombing and Mitterrand’s Responsibility
Updated June 06, 2025
A new book is revisiting the controversial 1985 bombing of the Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace vessel, and the potential role of then-President François Mitterrand. Journalist Hervé Gattegno’s book, “Two bombs under the Rainbow Warrior. The last secrets of the case that could have sought Mitterrand,” examines the lingering questions surrounding the incident.
The Rainbow Warrior was bombed in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 10, 1985, while preparing to disrupt French nuclear tests in the Pacific. The attack killed Fernando Pereira, a photographer documenting the protest. The bombing, linked to the French intelligence service (DGSE), became a major scandal for Mitterrand’s administration.
Gattegno previously published excerpts from a confidential report by Adm. Pierre Lacoste, the DGSE head at the time, in 2005. The new book promises further revelations about the case and Mitterrand’s possible knowledge and approval of the operation.The Rainbow Warrior bombing remains a meaningful event in the history of environmental activism and international relations, raising questions about state-sponsored actions and accountability.
What’s next
The book’s release is expected to reignite debate and scrutiny regarding France’s actions in the Pacific and the extent of political responsibility for the bombing.
