Government of the Republic of Vanuatu
Press Release
July 17, 2002
The Government of Vanuatu wishes to strongly express its concern over information it has received regarding the shipment of rejected Mixed Oxide Fuel (MOX) from Japan back to the United Kingdom. While the exact routing cannot be determined, the Government of Vanuatu is again reiterating its strong opposition over the shipment and is strongly urging both Britain and Japan to ensure the shipment does not enter the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Vanuatu.
While the Government of Vanuatu may have been advised on the shipment, the immediate and real issue of concern is the potential dangers posed by the shipment regardless of the assurances it has received on the safety standards that have been applied. As coastal states, it is apparent that the concerns of Vanuatu and other Pacific island nations are being ignored by the large shipping nations, therefore creating distrust.
The continuing shipment of nuclear waste through the Pacific is again
a clear demonstration of contempt for the Pacific region's efforts in
ensuring this vast ocean remains free from any form of nuclear activities,
as enshrined in the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty. The Government
of Vanuatu is urging those responsible not to compromise regional concerns,
reflected in recent Forum Communiques, over these shipments. The Government
of Vanuatu therefore wishes to condemn future
plans to use the Pacific Ocean as a highway for nuclear waste shipments
and will be calling on the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in Fiji next
month to adopt a stronger position on this critical matter.
