NZ Parliament Votes to Condemn N-Waste Shipment

["Greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

PARLIAMENT VOTES OVERWHELMINGLY TO CONDEMN NUCLEAR WASTE
SHIPMENT

Wellington, Wednesday 19 February -- Greenpeace today welcomed
an overwhelming vote by Parliament opposing the shipment of
highly radioactive waste about to pass through the
Tasman Sea and South Pacific on board the "Pacific Teal".

Greenpeace Campaign Director Stephanie Mills said the
Parliamentary motion reflected the strong concerns of all New
Zealanders and would send a powerful signal of opposi tion to
Japan, France and Britain, the three nations involved in the
shipment.

Tabled by Alliance deputy leader Jeanette Fitzsimons MP,
Parliament passed the motion this afternoon. It states:

"That this House declares its opposition to the passage through
the South Pacific of the 'Pacific Teal', carrying high level
radioactive waste from France to Japan, which in the event
of an accident would pose a serious risk to this region's
environment and fisheries."

The motion was supported by the Government and all political
parties except ACT.

Stephanie Mills said it was disappointing that the Government
did not give leave to pass a further motion from Ms Fitzsimons
that would have prohibited the ship from New Zealand's
200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

"Greenpeace is convinced there would have been a majority for
the second Parliamentary motion if it had been put to a free
vote," she said. "Tomorrow Greenpeace will present a
petition to the Government signed by some 24,000 people calling
for Mr Bolger to ban the ship from New Zealand's 200 mile zone.
This petition makes it clear that New Zealanders want the
Government to take stronger action to prevent the Pacific Teal
entering New Zealand waters."

For further information contact Stephanie Mills in Wellington on
(025) 790 817 or Glyn Walters in Auckland on ++64 9 630 6317