Nuclear Industry Violates Pledge of Openness

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

GREENPEACE ACCUSES: NUCLEAR INDUSTRY VIOLATES PLEDGE
 OF OPENNESS

The route of the high level waste shipment is still a secret

Amsterdam, January 23  --  Greenpeace today accused British
Nuclear Fuels, Cogema and the Japanese Federation of Electric
Power Companies of violating their promises to reveal the route
of the nuclear waste shipment, which left Cherbourg (France) on
21 January onboard the Pacific Swan and is currently believed to
be off the coast of Portugal.

In a statement released on 22 January, BNFL and Cogema simply
announced that the Pacific Swan "is now en route to Japan via
the Panama Canal."  Despite a promise to reveal the route, only
vague and incomplete information was forthcoming about the route
through the Caribbean or Pacific, regions where concern about
transit of the vessel has caused repeated protests.

"States along the shipping route have full right to know that
the vessel will pass near their waters in order to prepare
themselves in the event of accident," said Tom Clements of
Greenpeace.  "The release of censored information about the
route only shows that this nuclear waste shipment still sails
behind a curtain of secrecy.  We encourage nations in the
Caribbean and Pacific to continue their protests and demand that
the route and emergency plans be revealed."

On December 18, BNFL, Cogema and JNFL issued a statement
confirming that one day after the departure of the waste
shipment the route would be communicated.  Despite this pledge,
the nuclear industry only confirmed that the shipment would be
passing through the Panama Canal, information already released
by Greenpeace.  It thus remains unknown how close the vessel
will pass to island nations in the Caribbean and Pacific.  The
shippers have refused to release information about which ports
they may have designated to enter in case of emergency, and have
apparently not discussed emergency plans with en route states.

The lack of openness about this dangerous transport of 60 glass
logs of high-level nuclear waste underscores the need for strict
international regulation on such shipments. Despite repeated
demands by many countries for prior notification of nuclear
shipments and consultation on the issue, France, Japan and the
UK have ignored the demands of en-route states.  Greenpeace
encourages en-route nations to require proof of liability
coverage for the Pacific Swan before it can pass through waters
under their jurisdiction and control.

Normal shipping routes would take the vessel near to the
Bahamas, British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican
Republic, Hawaii, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated
States of Micronesia, Guam and other states.  

The arrival of the Pacific Swan in Panama is expected around 14
days after departure, and Greenpeace urges protest against its
passage through the Panama Canal. According to BNFL and Cogema,
the nuclear waste shipment is expected to arrive in Japan in
"the beginning of March."

A shipment of plutonium fuel, called mixed oxide fuel or MOX, is
expected later in 1998 or in 1999 from France to Japan.  The
shipment will likely not be allowed through the Panama Canal by
the United States as the material is classified by the
International Atomic Energy Agency as being of "direct use" for
nuclear weapons.  Due to its high security risk, the shipment
will require a military escort vessel and its route will be kept
secret, thus once again generating concern among potential en
route states. 

Greenpeace will continue campaigning against such dangerous
shipments and the plutonium industry which produces them.

end

Greenpeace on the Internet at http://www.greenpeace.org