PAPEETE, March 20th, 1996
Both the Rainbow Warrior and
the MV Greenpeace, seized by the French military during protests
against nuclear testing at Moruroa last September, have been
freed. Greenpeace vessels Vega, La Ribaude and Manutea were
released from captivity at Moruroa last week.
The MV Greenpeace, seized in international waters last
September, left Hao atoll at around 6pm local time, and was
joined by the Rainbow Warrior which sailed to meet her just
ouside the French exclusion zone. The captains of the two
vessels now plan to proceed westward, testing the condition and
sea-worthiness of the ships.
From on board the vessels, Greenpeace crew are still testing
much of the equipment badly damaged when French commandos
boarded and seized the vessels. A final destination for the
ships will depend on the captains' assessment of their condition
over the next 48 hours.
All of Greenpeace's five vessels are not free, just a few days
before France, the United States and Britain sign the long-
sought after South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty in Suva,
Fiji, on March 25th.
"With nuclear testing now ended in the Pacific forever,
Greenpeace is calling on its supporters world-wide to write to
the Chinese Premier Li Peng, urging China to stop testing," said
Greenpeace's Janet Dalziell on board the MV Greenpeace.
China is currently a major obstacle to achieving a Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty, as it still plans tests this year prior to the
treaty's conclusion, and wants so-called "peaceful nuclear
explosions" exempted from the treaty.
Contact:
Bunny McDiarmid/Arnaud Apoteker, Greenpeace Tahiti +689 433282
Stephanie Mills, Greenpeace New Zealand +64 25 790 817
Penelope Komites/Laurence Mermet, Greenpeace France +33147704689
Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications, +44 171 833 0600
NOTE:
The MV Greenpeace has satellite telephone communication working
infrequently. If you wish to call the vessel, please try Janet
Dalziell on +872 1300 310. Costs are US$10 a minute.
ALL GREENPEACE SHIPS NOW FREE OF FRENCH MILITARY