The Rest Is Classified: Episode 18 – Attack on Greenpeace: France’s Nuclear Bomb (Ep 1)

Release Date: February 10, 2025
Hosts: David McCloskey & Gordon Corera

Introduction

In the eighteenth episode of The Rest Is Classified, hosts David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst and spy novelist, and veteran security correspondent Gordon Corera delve into one of the most audacious acts of espionage and sabotage in recent history: the French attack on Greenpeace’s flagship vessel, the Rainbow Warrior. This episode meticulously unpacks the motivations, execution, and immediate fallout of the 1985 operation that sought to halt Greenpeace’s anti-nuclear activities in the South Pacific.

Background: Greenpeace and the Rainbow Warrior

David McCloskey begins by setting the stage, describing Greenpeace as a burgeoning environmental movement in the 1970s committed to stopping nuclear tests and protecting marine life. Central to their efforts was the Rainbow Warrior, an iconic vessel repurposed from a derelict fishing boat into a symbol of environmental activism.

[04:10] David McCloskey: "All of a sudden we are told the target and the nature of the mission was to sink the Rainbow Warrior. Anti nuclear activists, pacifists. We were a little surprised."

The Rainbow Warrior, adorned with vibrant colors and embodying the spirit of direct action, had become a significant thorn in the side of nuclear powers, particularly France, which was conducting nuclear tests in the remote Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific.

French Motivations and the DGSE’s Involvement

France, asserting its status as a nuclear power, viewed Greenpeace’s activities as a direct threat to its national security and sovereignty. Nuclear deterrence was not merely a strategic asset but a core component of French national identity and pride.

Gordon Corera elaborates on France’s perspective:

[05:49] Gordon Corera: "For France, nuclear weapons are a kind of expression of sovereignty and power... particularly for the French, the idea that they have their own nuclear deterrence is very kind of central to French identity."

Faced with persistent activism, the French government tasked the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE), France’s external intelligence agency, with neutralizing the Rainbow Warrior to safeguard their nuclear testing operations.

Planning the Sabotage Operation

The operation against the Rainbow Warrior was orchestrated with meticulous precision, albeit fraught with inherent risks. David McCloskey introduces Jean Luc Kistair, a dedicated DGSE captain, whose sense of duty and patriotism drove him to accept the mission despite ethical reservations.

[04:10] David McCloskey: "...we always have to ask ourselves, is what I am being asked to do really justified? ... Is I am serving my country?"

Gordon Corera provides a comprehensive overview of the DGSE's preparation:

[13:39] Gordon Corera: "...the DGSE is moving its headquarters in the not so distant future. But it is sort of colloquially known inside CIA as La Piscine because of the proximity to that pool."

The DGSE established multiple covert teams, including logistical support and a dive team led by Kistair, to execute the attack under the cover of environmental activism.

Execution of the Attack

On the night of July 10, 1985, the DGSE operatives embarked on their mission to sink the Rainbow Warrior at Auckland, New Zealand. The operation involved planting limpet mines on the ship under the cover of darkness, intending to disable the vessel without causing casualties.

David McCloskey recounts the tense moments leading up to the explosion:

[32:17] David McCloskey: "I will say that, you know, once I realized that we were not talking about the Tom Clancy novel Rainbow Six and this was actually a Greenpeace vessel... it really has an underdog feel."

Despite the plan, unforeseen complications arose. The first bomb created a larger-than-expected breach in the ship’s hull, causing immediate flooding and chaos.

[35:30] David McCloskey: "They didn't test it. Is that right?"

The situation deteriorated rapidly, culminating in a second explosion that completely sank the Rainbow Warrior, resulting in significant loss and international outrage.

Immediate Aftermath and Operational Failures

The DGSE’s operation, intended to be a swift and controlled sabotage, spiraled into disaster. The lack of thorough testing and underestimation of the Rainbow Warrior’s resilience led to a more destructive outcome than planned.

Gordon Corera highlights the operational lapses:

[36:07] David McCloskey: "And so some people are still on the boat, but then the second bomb goes off and the whole boat kind of jumps up. At this second point, he shouts, abandoned ship."

The unexpected severity of the explosions resulted in the sinking of the ship within mere seconds, contrasting sharply with the DGSE’s expectations of a contained attack.

Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution

• David McCloskey ([01:34]): "We were summoned to a meeting room and they revealed to me and my two teammates the purpose of the mission... Is I am serving my country?"

• Gordon Corera ([05:49]): "For France, nuclear weapons are a kind of expression of sovereignty and power... central to French identity."

• David McCloskey ([12:57]): "La Piscine... the DGSE is kind of moving its headquarters in the not so distant future."

• Gordon Corera ([13:39]): "The DGSE is moving its headquarters... known inside CIA as La Piscine because of the proximity to that pool."

• David McCloskey ([32:17]): "It's like sort of the environmentalist Love Boat, ... It really has an underdog feel."

Insights and Conclusions

The attack on the Rainbow Warrior underscores the lengths to which state actors may go to protect national interests, often at the expense of ethical considerations and international law. The episode highlights the dangers inherent in covert operations, where operational failures can lead to unintended consequences and international scandals.

David McCloskey and Gordon Corera emphasize the moral complexities faced by operatives like Jean Luc Kistair, who must balance duty to their nation with the broader implications of their actions. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the shadowy intersections between environmental activism and espionage during the Cold War era.

Looking Forward

As the episode concludes, McCloskey and Corera hint at exploring the ensuing manhunt for the perpetrators and the broader ramifications for French intelligence services in future episodes. Listeners are left contemplating the delicate balance between national security and ethical responsibility in the clandestine world of espionage.

Stay Tuned: In the next episode of The Rest Is Classified, delve deeper into the aftermath of the Rainbow Warrior attack, the international fallout, and the pursuit to bring those responsible to justice.

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