France on Monday admitted to "lapses" in the security of its nuclear sites as President Nicolas Sarkozy denounced an "irresponsible" break-in by Greenpeace activists at an atomic power plant. "It is clear that this reveals lapses in our (security) system," Interior Minister Claude Gueant told journalists. "All the lessons must be learned so that the system can be even more watertight than it is today." Sarkozy denounced the activists for putting themselves and others at risk.
"It is quite irresponsible to take risks with one's life and the lives of others," he said at a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "As far as nuclear security is concerned, we will absolutely publish all (security) audits," he said, adding: "We owe transparency to the French people."