DIARY UPDATE FROM THE CREW OF THE RAINBOW WARRIOR:

From: Alice (richard) Leney, o/b mechanic on board the SV Rainbow Warrior

THURSDAY 22nd JUNE 1995 06:10:10 GMT

The smell of rich tropical earth and misty mountains on the horizon tell us that Rarotonga is ahead of us with the morning sun. An escort pilot arrives at 10 a.m. on board the Rainbow Warrior and by 11 we are being treated to a vivacious display of gyrating Cook Island dancers! The Deputy Prime Minister of Rorotonga gave the main address: a message of strong support from all the people of the Cook Islands for our mission, and a call for the French to change their decision. "Lives are more precious than bombs" and "French bomb sucks" proclaim the hastily made banners from the locals (they only heard we were coming two days ago!).

98KB GIF or 37KB JPG. ©Greenpeace/Morgan

The ship is inundated with well-wishers and gifts. Giant bunches of bananas are now hanging in the rigging; two enormous pizzas arrive at dinner time; and a beautifully moist rich chocolate cake appears miraculously through a port-hole just after supper! The warmth of feeling for the Warrior and her work is wonderful, one can't help feeling sad for those in the world who wish to poison the tranquillity and generosity of the South Pacific Islands with their nuclear weapons.

86KB GIF or 29KB JPG. ©Greenpeace/Morgan

Alice (Richard) Leney on board the Rainbow Warrior