The countries that dot the southern half of the world's largest ocean are known for their peaceful, sand-ringed islands and their sun-drenched coral atolls. But the problems of the nuclear age are intruding on this tranquillity. Last week the 13-nation South Pacific Forum met in Rarotonga, capital of the Cook Islands, to consider a treaty declaring the area between the equator and Antarctica and between Australia and South America a nuclear-free zone. Eight members, including Australia, New Zealand, Western Samoa and tiny Niue (estimated population 3,400), signed the treaty. Four others are expected to ratify...
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