Plut Ship Makes for Cape Horn-South America

[The.Greenbase@gb.greenpeace.org]

>> NUCLEAR WASTE SHIP MAKES FOR CAPE HORN, SOUTH AMERICAN ROUTE;


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                    GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> NUCLEAR WASTE SHIP MAKES FOR CAPE HORN, SOUTH AMERICAN ROUTE;
GREENPEACE CALLS THIS DANGEROUS ROUTE "AN ACT OF DESPERATION  
 
OFF ARGENTINEAN COAST, 16 March, 1995 (GP) Greenpeace today
warned that the Japan bound plutonium waste ship Pacific Pintail
is almost surely preparing to attempt to transit the hazardous
waters off of Cape Horn, South America.
 
Greenpeace, which is tracking the French origin shipment off the
coast of Argentina with its vessel Solo, called this course one
of the most dangerous ocean routes possible.
 
"Choosing the South American/Antarctic route, with the threat of
dangerous seas, treacherous weather and icebergs, is an act of
desperation," said Greenpeace's Bas Bruyne on board the Solo. 
"This British-flagged nuclear freighter has been stopped by the
protests of dozens of countries along possible routes and is now
making a desperate bid to avert opposition by entering the open
expanse of the Southern Pacific."
 
On Monday, it was revealed that the South African government had
instructed Britain, France and Japan not to bring their nuclear
waste shipment into South Africa's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
waters which extend 200 miles off of the Cape of Good Hope. 
Subsequently, the African National Congress' (ANC) Parliamentary
study group on Environmental Affairs has called for the Pacific
Pintail to return to France rather than seek a way through
growing international opposition.
 
In South America, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and
Ecuador have all voiced opposition to the dangerous nuclear
shipment travelling through their waters.  A number of unions and
fishing groups have also either refused to service or opposed the
shipment.
 
"The Pintail has become an unwanted garbage barge with no where
to go and no where to hide.  It is now trying to force its way
through legitimate opposition and one of the most dangerous seas
on Earth." said Bruyne
 
Greenpeace is calling for a world-wide ban on the production of
all plutonium--both military and civil--in its campaign to halt
nuclear weapons production and proliferation.  The organization
is encouraging countries around the world to call for a halt to
the plutonium industry at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT) talks in April at the United Nations in New York. 
 
Contact:  
Thomas Schultz, Greenpeace Germany: +49-40-311-86-416
Blair Palese, Greenpeace Communication: ++ 44-171-833-0600
Bas Bruyne, Greenpeace Solo ($10 per minute): ++871-1301166.