VERACRUZ, Mexico, 8 February 1996 -- (GP) The Greenpeace vessel Moby Dick arrived at the port of the Laguna Verde nuclear power plant today flying a banner calling for a true account of the plant's cost and safety record.

As the Moby Dick approached the Laguna Verde nuclear power plant, three Greenpeace inflatible boats were launched, landed on the beach near the plant and displayed a banner reading "Laguna Verde, Nuclear Backyard." The banner remained for over two hours. The Moby Dick was joined by two Mexican fishing boats from Villa Rica in the protest and all the boats flew nuclear warning flags throughout the protest.

The Moby Dick arrived at Veracruz's Port on February 5th as part of its "Defending the Gulf and the Caribbean" tour.

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Greenpeace is calling on the Mexican government to allow an independent inspection of the Laguna Verde nuclear plant and to make public financial information about the true costs of the plant, its waste disposal and eventual dismantling. Greenpeace has proposed that independent experts be allowed access to the plant to carry out safety inspections and that environmental NGOs and other authorities be allowed access to their findings.

"Mexican people do not have to live under the risk of a nuclear accident and we don't have the right to force our current energy problems on future generations," said Greenpeace's Alejandro Calvillo. "The Mexican government must first provide honest information about the true costs and environmental problems posed by the Laguna Verde plant and to seek long-term, safe energy solutions for the future."

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Laguna Verde, a General Electric boiling water reactor (BWR) is the only Nuclear Plant in Mexico and has been plagued with technical problems during construction and since it first went on line in 1989. A series of emergencies have been reported at the plant which have led to plant being shut downs and to the release of radioactivity into the environment.

In addition, there have been reports of corruption at the Laguna Verde plant as well as harassment and intimidation of plant employees who have divulged information about safety problems. Similar General Electric BWR reactors have also reported safety problems implying that design flaws could lead to accidents at the Laguna Verde plant in the future.

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This nuclear plant has been an economical failure for Mexico. Expected to cost an estimated US$ 128 million for an output of 500 megawatts, Laguna Verde has now cost more than US$ 7 billion without factoring in the costs of dismantling the plant and storing radioactive waste which are expected to cost billions of dollars more.

There is no safe way of disposing of the mounting radiative waste accumulating at Laguna Verde. There have been reports since 1995 that the Laguna Verde waste is being incinerated which would allow radioactive particles to be released into the atmosphere.

Contact:

Roberto Lopez, Greenpeace Mexico: +525-536-4160

Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications: +44171-633-0600