Auckland Welcomes Home Rainbow Warrior and MV Greenpeace

[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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>> AUCKLAND WELCOMES HOME RAINBOW WARRIOR AND MV GREENPEACE
 
AUCKLAND, April 2, 1996 (GP) The SV Rainbow Warrior and MV
Greenpeace, released by the French military in March after
nearly six months in detention at Hao Atoll, will be welcomed
into Auckland on Good Friday.
 

The two vessels will dock at the eastern side of Princes Wharf
this Friday 5 April at approximately 9.30am. The ships expect
to pick up a pilot from the outer harbour anchorage at 9.00am
and to clear customs and immigration by 10.00am.
 
Aucklanders are being invited to welcome the ships and to
celebrate the final achievement of a nuclear free South
Pacific.
 
"This is the end of an era for the South Pacific, for New
Zealand and for Greenpeace", said Stephanie Mills. "Finally we
have forced France to abandon nuclear testing. Last year
showed that the power of people all over the globe could move
us closer to a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Greenpeace's
goal now is to achieve that treaty this year".
 
She said the welcome was an opportunity for Greenpeace to
thank New Zealanders, and in particular the members of the
Peace Flotilla, for the key role they played in the campaign
against nuclear testing last year. 
 
The media will be invited on to the ships for a brief press
conference once the berthing formalities and welcome are over.
 
Both ships require extensive repairs and will be in Auckland
for at least two weeks. The ships will be open to the public
on Saturday and Easter Monday from 12 noon until 3pm.
ENDS
 
Further information: Stephanie Mills 09 630 6317 or 025 790
817; Glyn Walters 025 931 363 

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