"I would perfectly understand it if New Zealanders considered this act to be an act of terrorism, to sink a boat in a port where there are just yachtsmen, peaceful people," he told the newspaper.
"It does not really deserve to be called that, but if it is felt in that way, that is reality," he said.
After the attack, Lacoste was fired and then-Defense Minister Charles Hernu resigned. The two arrested French agents, each sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter, were freed within two years after France threatened trade and other sanctions against New Zealand.
Willcox said the attack raised the hostility over French nuclear testing "to a much higher level than it ever would have been if they hadn't blown up the boat."
"I don't hold any anger toward the French people," he said. "I just hold anger toward members of their government who made these really stupid decisions."
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