UK:Nuke Truck Blocked

[The.Greenbase@gb.greenpeace.org]

>> GREENPEACE BLOCKADES NUCLEAR TRUCK WHILE DRIVERS 

 
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                    GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> GREENPEACE BLOCKADES NUCLEAR TRUCK WHILE DRIVERS 
   TAKE TEA BREAK  
 
LONDON, 1 March, 1995 (GP) Greenpeace blocaded a truck-load of
spent nuclear fuel containing half a nuclear bomb's worth of
plutonium as its drivers and security left the vehicle unattended
to take a tea break at a cafe at 7.30 this morning.
 
Activists surrounded the truck, padlocking themselves to chains
attached to the tarmac of the Southwaite services car park, off
the M6, south of Carlisle, Cumbria. The truck was painted by
other Greenpeace activities. Vehicles have been used to stop the
truck from leaving. 
 
The truck was carrying spent nuclear fuel rods from the
Chapelcross military nuclear reactor in Dumfries and Galloway,
Scotland to the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL) plant at
Sellafield in Cumbria where plutonium is extracted from fuel
rods.  Greenpeace is demanding that the truck be returned to
Chapelcross and that the production of plutonium is stopped.  
"This transportation is proof that Britain intends to continue
producing plutonium and building nuclear bombs and has no
intention of living up to its obligations under the Non-
Proliferation Treaty," Greenpeace campaigner Bridget Woodman
said.
 
Greenpeace has tracked 10 shipments of spent nuclear fuel between
Chapelcross and Sellafield this year - the equivalent of five
nuclear bombs.
 
All plutonium that arises from Chapelcross goes into military
stockpiles for use in nuclear weapons. Plutonium is the core
ingredient in nuclear bombs and was used in the bomb which
devastated the Japanese city of Nagasaki in 1945, three days
after Hiroshima.
 
Britain pledged to get rid of its nuclear weapons 25 years ago
when its signed the international nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT). 
 
Unlike other arms control treaties, the NPT is not permanent and
its future will be decided this year at a conference to be held
in New York from April 17 to May 12. The UK has been heavily
criticised by the international community for failing to live up
to its obligations under the treaty.
 
CONTACT: 
Adam Wolfe, Bridget Woodman, Greenpeace UK: ++44171 359 4837  
Kate Johnston, Greenpeace on site: ++44 831 281 556
Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communications: ++44171-833-0600
     
*PHOTO AND FOOTAGE AVAILABLE.