Waveland Establishes First Embassy

["the greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

GREENPEACE DECLARES FOREIGN OFFICE AS THE FIRST EMBASSY OF THE
NEW COUNTRY OF WAVELAND - TWO MP's SIGN UP AS FIRST CITIZENS 

June 18, 1997- Greenpeace activists, including Waveland
Ambassadors, have today established, at the offices of the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, the first official
embassy of Waveland.
 
 Waveland is the new global state, declared by Greenpeace, that
came  into existence last Sunday, 15th June 1997. The current
capital of Waveland, Rockall, has been occupied by three
Greenpeace activists in protest at oil developments on the
Atlantic Frontier. Rockall is at the centre of a territorial
dispute over oil resources located there between the UK,
Ireland, Denmark and Iceland. Greenpeace argue that to 
 stop dangerous escalation of climate change new oil
developments, such as the Atlantic Frontier, need to be halted
now. 
 
 The Waveland Ambassadors, dressed in purple and gold
ambassadorial suits, are inviting officials at the Foreign
Office to apply for a valid Waveland passport. Greenpeace
activists set up the new embassy, by installing official plaques
and passport issuing facilities, outside the entrance to the
Foreign Office. The Ambassadors have been issuing passports to
civil servants of the Foreign Office and passers by since
10.30am this morning. The Ambassadors are exempt from any
potential police interference under diplomatic immunity.  

 Speaking from the newly created embassy, Greenpeace oil
campaigner, Robbie Kelman, said "The country of Waveland,
through it's declaration of independence and interdependence,
represents principles the world now needs to halt the ravages of
environmental despoilation - particularly our massive impact on
the worlds climate."  

 Greenpeace will be delivering a letter to Robin Cook, the UK's
Foreign  Secretary, inviting him to become the first honourary
citizen of Waveland, as he represents the UK at the upcoming UN
General Assembly Special Session on the environment next week.
 
 Two Liberal Democrat MP's, Matthew Taylor Environment
spokesperson and Norman Baker MP have become Waveland citizens
by accepting passports this morning outside the Foreign Office.
 
 More Waveland embassies will be coming into existence all over
the UK in the weeks to come. Greenpeace campaigner Kelman said
"Today has seen the opening of the first embassy of Waveland,
more will follow, we are urging everyone concerned about the
global environment, to show their concern by becoming a citizen
of Waveland."
 
 ends
 
 Notes: Letter to Robin Cook available on request 
 
 For further information please contact the Greenpeace press
office on  0171 865 8255/6/7/8