2nd OCTOBER 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREENPEACE INVADES FRENCH AMBASSADOR'S LONDON RESIDENCE IN PROTEST AGAINST SECOND NUCLEAR TEST

The second French nuclear test today at Fangataufa has been condemned by Greenpeace as a criminal act of environmental destruction.

Greenpeace UK today launched a protest at the French Ambassador's residence in Kensington. Activists invaded the Ambassador's garden and climbed on to the roof of his house in order to mark their outrage at France's actions.

Greenpeace Local Groups are also holding vigils in Southampton, Cardiff, Norwich, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

The Greenpeace vessel `Manutea' was seized by French commandos several hours before the nuclear test, even though the ship was in international waters three miles outside the Moruroa exclusion zone. Greenpeace believes that the seizure was an unlawful act of piracy designed to silence peaceful protest.

President Chirac's decision to detonate a second bomb comes after an unprecedented wave of international revulsion at the tests. On Friday the European Union Environment Commissioner again reminded France to refrain from any further nuclear tests until the Commission were satisfied that the tests would cause no unnecessary environmental damage.

The 110 kilotonne explosion - almost 8 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb - comes 4 weeks after a test on Moruroa Atoll. The latest bomb will cause further damage to an already ravaged Pacific area, and may in future lead to further releases of radioactive contamination into the Pacific environment.

The test is believed to be the final certification for an entirely new generation of submarine launched nuclear warheads, potentially signalling the start of a new nuclear arms race. This latest French test undermines further efforts to secure a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty that would ban all nuclear tests for all time. It also breaks a moratorium on testing in place since 1992 and currently adhered to by Britain, Russia and the USA.

A recent MORI poll conducted on behalf of Greenpeace indicated that 81% of the European Community polled oppose the French nuclear testing programme. 158 of the world's nations have so far condemned the tests, but the UK government has refused to criticise President Chirac, possibly because of the close collaboration between their nuclear programmes .

"By testing again Jacques Chirac has shown an arrogant contempt for the Pacific environment and the wishes of the millions of people across the world opposed to his actions", said Greenpeace Campaigner William Peden. "Chirac must realise that his behaviour is intolerable and that this nuclear madness must stop. The seizure of the Manutea is an outrageous act of piracy and we are at the French Ambassador's house to tell him that enough is enough".

For further information please contact

Greenpeace Press Office on: 0171 354 5100 or 0171 359 4837 or
William Peden on pager number 01399 1133 x 787032.