spy_games

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ocuments obtained under the UK’s Freedom of Information Act reveal French intelligence officers, supported by officials in Paris, conjured up a covert media disinformation campaign that would divert attention and suspicion away from France’s involvement with the sinking of Greenpeace vessel, the Rainbow Warrior in 1985. The scam was discovered by MI6, but unable to comment publicly, an “infuriated” Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher ordered Whitehall officials to force Paris to shut down the DGSE operation. Eye Spy has learned that the plan was devised months prior to the sinking of Rainbow Warrior, after DGSE (Direction Generale de la Securite Exterieure) officers who had infiltrated Greenpeace, also discovered an MI6 agent amongst its ranks. Accord-

ing to intelligence sources, MI6 had used a front company to obtain information on the movements of Rainbow Warrior and its “protest agenda.” Rainbow Warrior had been despatched to New Zealand in July 1985 to monitor controversial French nuclear tests near Moruroa. When the ship arrived, DGSE operatives were waiting in Auckland armed with explosives and orders to sink the ship. The plan was duly carried out and the Rainbow Warrior was crippled. Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira was killed in the blast. New Zealand police quickly demanded the arrest of several people, unbeknown at the time, all of them were connected to the DGSE. Some intelligence officers, including Christine Cabon, a former French Army officer, had already left the country. She had

French intelligence placed blame for sinking of Rainbow Warrior on MI6

MI6 and DGSE Spy Games E Y E

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' GREENPEACE

Fernando Dopereira - killed in the attack


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