GREENPEACE TO MAKE OFFICIAL COMPLAINT AS AUTOMATIC WEAPONS USED AGAINST GENETIC ENGINEERING PROTEST

AMSTERDAM, 20 February 1997

Greenpeace International is to make an official complaint to the Portuguese Government after bullets were fired in Lisbon Harbour last night as Greenpeace activists peacefully protested against the importation of genetically engineered corn from the USA.

"Greenpeace condemns the use of force against a peaceful protest like this," said campaigner Riki Aguilar, speaking from the scene. We are simply trying to highlight to the Portuguese people the undemocratic way that this experimental food has been forced on unwilling European consumers."

Eight activists -- from Sweden, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and the USA -- in four inflatables were challenged by police and marines around midnight as they approached a bulk cargo ship which was at anchor in Lisbon harbour waiting to unload its shipment of genetically engineered 14,500 tons of corn.

Earlier in the day the activists had prevented the same ship - the Cypriot-owned Pacificator - from docking. Over the next two hours some single shots were fired as the inflatables were chased by police launches. The protest was called off after the authorities opened fire with automatic weapons. Fortunately no one was hit.

One of the Greenpeace boats, some of which were also carrying independent journalists, was rammed at high speed in the darkness. Greenpeace International will be making a formal complaint about excessive use of force to the Portuguese authorities.

Greenpeace is calling on the Portuguese government to ban the import of the transgenic corn in order to protect Europeans' environment and health. In spite of serious concerns regarding possible health and environmental implications, the corn was approved by the European Commission earlier this month.

Austria and Luxembourg have already banned it, in defiance of the Commissioners' decision. France, which originally proposed the transgenic corn for import and cultivation to its EU partners, last week changed its mind and prevented its farmers from planting the seeds. Other countries are expected to pressure the Commissioners to reverse their decision.

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Footage and stills of the action are available.

For further information contact:

James Gillies (Press Officer) Greenpeace International - tel: +31 20 524 9548;

Riki Aguilar (Campaigner) Greenpeace International - mobile tel: +31 6 5319 5259

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