Manutea Seizure & Detention Challenged

[the.greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
Original-Cc:      The Greenbase (Green2:Green2:Gnl:Main)
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                   GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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   MORUROA SEIZURE AND DETENTION OF MANUTEA CHALLENGED IN
COURT
 
Los Angeles, 27 February 1996- Greenpeace today will challenge
France in the Los Angeles courts to return the Manutea, a US-
flagged vessel seized by the French military as it peacefully
protested French nuclear testing in international waters
outside Moruroa atoll in September.
 
Greenpeace is seeking an order to immediately release the
Manutea.  France is expected to argue that it has sovereign
immunity before the US courts, and that the courts should not
rule on the case as it involves sensitive diplomatic matters.
 
Greenpeace's Stephanie Mills said any attempt by France to
shelter behind claims of sovereign immunity showed it feared
facing the law.
 
"France claimed its seizure of the Manutea in international
waters was legal, but has held the ship for nearly six months
without ever charging anyone with any offence in relation to
Greenpeace's peaceful protests at Moruroa," Mills said. 
"France is now trying to duck our claims in a neutral court to
cover up for the illegality of their actions at Moruroa."
 
Mills said France's continued detention of the Greenpeace
vessels even though the the testing programme had ended was
vindictive and discriminatory.  A French protest yacht also

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