Greenpeace and local groups in Suva, Fiji demonstrate, on July 5th 2002, the Pacific people's opposition to plutonium shipments through the Pacific.
The Prime Minister of Fiji Mr. Laisenia Qarase, called on the
Heads of Government at the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)
meeting in Fiji today to join the Pacific in its outrage and
opposition to the shipments of plutonium MOX waste travelling
through the region.
The ACP meeting, attended by delegations representing 78
countries, is being held in Nadi, Fiji and the Prime Minister made
the statement during the opening session
The Prime Minister said in his opening speech, "As I speak a
ship carrying plutonium is heading for our waters, having traversed
other parts of the region. We will be asking you to join with us in
expressing our outrage and opposition to those who are so willing
to put the Pacific and our peoples at risk." The response from the
meeting was applause.
Angenette Heffernan of Greenpeace has welcomed the statement by
the Prime Minister of Fiji, saying:
"We commend the Prime Minister for taking a leadership role on
this issue and are confident that the ACP will support his
statement. The Prime Minister's statement is a strong indication
that this will be a key issue for the Pacific Heads of Government
when they meet at their annual meeting next month"
The two ships, Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal, carrying 255
KGs of weapons-usable material have in the last week breached the
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of the Federated States of
Micronesia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. They
are now heading towards the EEZ of New Caledonia.
Each nation has the right to protect the marine environment
within its EEZ under the Law of the Sea Convention. In the light of
the dangers to the marine environment and populations of coastal
states, the failure of the shipping states to take basic steps such
as consulting with en route states about the route and safety
arrangements, the BNFL ships have no rights to 'innocent passage'
through territorial waters and can be asked to stay out of en route
countries' EEZs. The United Kingdom, which is the flag State of the
vessels, has previously given New Zealand an assurance it will not
pass through New Zealand's EEZ. The passage through the EEZs of
other Pacific States such as FSM, despite their specific request to
stay out, is discriminatory and insulting to those smaller States,
as well as dangerous.
"Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have been notified about the
route and the time of the Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal's
transit, but BNFL have failed to consult with the Pacific Nations
and are now trying to silence any information being released to the
Pacific countries about the whereabouts of the ships. This is
tantamount to racism. They are showing blatant discrimination
towards these islands by showing no concern for the opinions,
wishes and safety of the Pacific", said Ms Heffernan.