Papeete, Tahiti, 3 September 1995--As the French military today
flew 18 more Greenpeace activists, one cameraman and a Radio New
Zealand journalist to Papeete from Moruroa Atoll today,
Greenpeace called for the release of its two vessels the Rainbow
Warrior and the MV Greenpeace, and an immediate halt to French
nuclear testing.
As the Greenpeace vessel, Manutea, arrived in Moruroa from the
US, to join the growing international peace flotilla, it is
understood that the French authorities will tow both ships to Hao
Atoll, 600 miles North of Moruroa, with two skeleton crews and
that the ships will be kept under guard. Greenpeace has not been
told of the French authorities' intentions once they reach there.
All 20 people flown to Tahiti today had come from the two vessels
after the boats had been arrested for peacefully protesting
against France's imminent plans to carry out nuclear tests at
Moruroa atoll.
Xavier Pastor, campaigner from the MV Greenpeace, reported that
after the vessels were towed into Moruroa lagoon by French
warships, excessive violence was used against the crew who had
protested at being taken off the boats.
"We were sitting on the floor with linked arms when the French
commandos ordered the skipper to choose a skeleton crew. On our
refusal, the commandos punched, kicked and forcefully separated
us," said Pastor.
A skeleton crew of eight on the MV Greenpeace [1] and seven on
the Rainbow Warrior [2] are still being detained by the French
authorities, whilst the remainder were flown to Papeete. It is
not known when the two boats will be released.
"France's heavy handed tactics to prevent peaceful protest and
free speech will fail. This issue is not between France and
Greenpeace but between those who want to see real progress on
nuclear disarmament and those that do not" said Thomas Schultz,
Greenpeace campaigner in Tahiti.
The SV Rainbow Warrior was attempting to reach the Moruroa lagoon
when it was boarded by French commandos inside the exclusion
zone, smashing communications equipment on board and preventing
further transmissions. The MV Greenpeace was boarded a few hours
later while outside the exclusion zone in International waters.
The aim of the action was to prevent the reported test which was
due to take place on 1 September. Greenpeace crew who were
released earlier, were handcuffed throughout the flight to
Papeete.
"The French government's deliberate destruction of our
communications aboard the Rainbow Warrior and MV Greenpeace, the
detention of Greenpeace activists and ships will not silence
Greenpeace. There is growing outrage from the International
community over France's imminent plans to carry out nuclear tests
in Moruroa Atoll," said Schultz, in Tahiti. "We will continue our
peaceful protest if President Chirac decides to violate the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by going ahead with the nuclear
tests."
Earlier today, Greenpeace International Executive Director
reiterated the call for Greenpeace supporters to use non-
violence * when protesting against French nuclear testing
Contact: Thomas Schultz, Greenpeace International, Tahiti +689 770 613 or
+689 770 614
Note to Editors:
[1] MV Greenpeace Remaining Crew: [2] Rainbow Warrior Remaining Crew For a full statement of Steve D'Esposit's statement, contact
your national office or Greenpeace Communications.
15 CREW AND 2 SHIPS STILL DETAINED BY FRENCH AUTHORITIES -
GREENPEACE CALL FOR THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greenpeace communications, +44171 833 0600
SCHWARZ, Peter Master SUI
BALLART, Ken 1Mate UK
ZEHNPFENNIG, Michael Ch. Eng GER
CIMEN, Faik Asst Engineer TUR
BOSMA, Sake OB Mechanic NL
HUCKLEBERRY, Paula Pilot USA
THIERY Jean Luc Campaigner F
TARAI Millie Doctor
CASTLE, Jonathan Master UK
NICHOLS, Derek 1st Mate NZ
WILLIGHAGEN, Robert Ch. Eng NL
PAPUKA, Philip Bosun SOL
MILLS, Stephanie Campaign NZ
GORTER, Tim NZ
NEUHROR, Pierre Emmanuel FR