Greenpeace and community organisations in Suva, Fiji demonstrate the Pacific people's opposition to plutonium shipments through the Pacific.
The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has
issued a forceful statement today, reiterated its "continued strong
opposition" to the shipment of the rejected plutonium MOX through
its Exclusive Economic Zone.
In its statement the FSM government expressed its concerns that
the shipment, "will clearly pose a great risk to the livelihoods of
the people and the marine ecosystem of the FSM."
"It is apparent that the shipping nations continue to show
disregard for these concerns and ignore their responsibility under
international maritime law."
The FSM Government statement follows last night's announcement
by British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) that their rejected plutonium MOX
shipment is to use the Pacific-Tasman Sea-South Africa route from
Japan to the UK.
Also today in Fiji the Prime Minister, Mr Qarase, expressed
concern over the possibility of accidents involving the shipment
and reiterated Fiji's ongoing opposition to the shipment through
the region.
In the Fiji capital Suva, protesters from Greenpeace Pacific and
a coalition of human rights groups held a peaceful vigil outside
the Japanese Embassy and formed a "procession of nuclear shame" to
the British High Commission.
In Canberra, Australia, Greenpeace today hung a banner reading
"Stop Plutonium Shipment" from the roof of the Japanese Embassy to
protest the Japanese governments' decision to ship plutonium
through the Pacific and the Tasman Sea. Activists also displayed
banners outside the British High Commission. Two activists were
arrested.
Greenpeace warns this will create an imminent security and
environmental threat to the Pacific. The strong and vocal
opposition by the countries of Latin and Central America, together
with Caribbean nations prevents the plutonium ships from using
those routes.
"The nuclear shipping nations of Japan, UK and France arrogantly
view the Pacific as the route of least resistance," said Greenpeace
Pacific Nuclear Campaigner Ang Heffernan. "There is no
justification for this rejected plutonium MOX shipment. It is only
occurring because BNFL, which originally shipped this material from
the UK through the Pacific to Japan in 1999, deliberately falsified
vital quality control safety data during its manufacture."
"People throughout the Pacific should be worried that such a
discredited and untrustworthy company as BNFL is in charge of the
safety of this deadly plutonium MOX shipment," said Heffernan. The
Federated States of Micronesia will be the first Pacific Island
nation directly threatened by the shipment of faulty MOX fuel as
early as July 12th, when it nears its Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ). Its Government is urging the UK and Japan to immediately
reconsider their plan to transit through the region:
Meanwhile New Zealand has strongly reiterated its opposition to
the plutonium MOX shipment: "We have advised both Britain and Japan
of our opposition to such shipments through the Pacific," Foreign
Affairs Minister Phil Goff said. "New Zealand will continue... to
insist that no shipment of nuclear fuel or waste should come within
its 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone." Maps of the transit routes
through the Pacific are available at: www.greenpeace.org