BRINDISI, ITALY 25 October, 1995 -- (GP) Commandos from a French
destroyer armed with axes boarded the Greenpeace vessel Altair
today in the Italian port of Brindisi and tear gassed her crew
during a protest against the French military.
The Altair and four inflatable vessels entered the port of
Brindisi to try to peacefully prevent the French destroyer
Dupleix, armed with at least four Exocet Missiles, from entering
the port. Greenpeace activists painted the side of the French
ship with "STOP NUCLEAR TESTS!" while other activists chained
themselves to the mooring ropes of the Dupleix.
Commandos aboard the Dupleix turned fire hoses on the Greenpeace
inflatable boats and attempted to flood the Altair's engine room
before boarding the Greenpeace vessel. Commandos lodged tear gas
into the bridge forcing the captain and crew to flee before
starting the ship, throwing it into reverse and abandoning it,
allowing the Altair to go full speed into the dock several times.
French commandos allowed the Altair to run out of control,
risking collision with other Italian police and Coast Guard
vessels. One Greenpeace crew member was injured.
The Altair sustained a hole above its water line during the
series of collisions. The damage is now being assessed.
"This is a grave breach of international law and is an attack not
only on Greenpeace and Greenpeace crew members but on the Italian
and Dutch states as well," said Greenpeace's Giuseppe Onutrio.
"Clearly France is prepared to stop at nothing to test its
nuclear bombs.
"France came to a friendly harbour in 1985, sank the Rainbow
Warrior and killed Fernando Pereira. They stormed onboard the
Rainbow Warrior in July, smashing windows and teargassing the
crew. They came into international waters and seized the M/V
Greenpeace and Manutea. They have beaten up and illegally
detained crew members and seized our ships. But now France has
come to Italy, a friendly port and attacked a Greenpeace ship in
harbour, again smashing windows and teargassing the crew
members."
The Greenpeace campaign to end all nuclear testing worldwide will
continue full-force and will not be stifled by the French
military.
Contact:
The Altair: ++31653-112 925 or on sat phone: ++871-130 2414
Editor's Notes:
-The Greenpeace vessel Altair is Dutch flagged, 59 metres long
and 850 tons.
FRANCE BOARDS GREENPEACE PROTEST VESSEL IN ITALIAN TERRITORIAL
WATERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greenpeace Italy: ++39 6 578 2484
Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications: +44171-833-0600
Footage and photos available. Contact Greenpeace Communications.
Altair Crew List
1. Enever, David Captain UK
2. Grandesantos, Alfonso ChOff Spain
3. Sommer, Myrna 2ndOff Holland
4. Vangal, Satish RadioOff India
5. Mazee, Hans Ch Eng Holland
6. Pedersen, Tom 2nd Eng Denmark
7. Brobbey, George 3rd Eng Ghana
8. Van Lint, Marco Cook Holland
9. Leal, Maria Isabel 2nd Cook Spain
10. Gruener, Hanno-Lutz Bosun Germany
11. Cvetkovic, Bora Doct/DH Yugoslav
12. Sheldon, Georffrey O/B Mech UK
13. Lacruzsobre, Marta Deckhand Spain
14. Bell, Kevin Deckhand USA
15. Garcialarrea, Fernando Deckhand Spain
16. Blake, Elizabeth Deckhand UK
17. Lewinreggio, Nicole Photo France
18. Cutrupi, Gilberto Campaign Italy
19. Baffoni, Sergio Campaign Italy