Greenpeace's campaign to Stop Plutonium Terror

Protest against plutonium shipment in Fiji.

Pacific Nations Voice Strong Opposition to Plutonium Shipment

5 July, 2002

Tokyo, JAPAN: The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has issued a forceful statement today, reiterated its "continued strong opposition" to the shipment of the rejected plutonium MOX through its Exclusive Economic Zone.

In its statement the FSM government expressed its concerns that the shipment, "will clearly pose a great risk to the livelihoods of the people and the marine ecosystem of the FSM."

"It is apparent that the shipping nations continue to show disregard for these concerns and ignore their responsibility under international maritime law."

The FSM Government statement follows last night's announcement by British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) that their rejected plutonium MOX shipment is to use the Pacific-Tasman Sea-South Africa route from Japan to the UK.

Also today in Fiji the Prime Minister, Mr Qarase, expressed concern over the possibility of accidents involving the shipment and reiterated Fiji's ongoing opposition to the shipment through the region.

In the Fiji capital Suva, protesters from Greenpeace Pacific and a coalition of human rights groups held a peaceful vigil outside the Japanese Embassy and formed a "procession of nuclear shame" to the British High Commission.

In Canberra, Australia, Greenpeace today hung a banner reading "Stop Plutonium Shipment" from the roof of the Japanese Embassy to protest the Japanese governments' decision to ship plutonium through the Pacific and the Tasman Sea. Activists also displayed banners outside the British High Commission. Two activists were arrested.

Greenpeace warns this will create an imminent security and environmental threat to the Pacific. The strong and vocal opposition by the countries of Latin and Central America, together with Caribbean nations prevents the plutonium ships from using those routes.

"The nuclear shipping nations of Japan, UK and France arrogantly view the Pacific as the route of least resistance," said Greenpeace Pacific Nuclear Campaigner Ang Heffernan. "There is no justification for this rejected plutonium MOX shipment. It is only occurring because BNFL, which originally shipped this material from the UK through the Pacific to Japan in 1999, deliberately falsified vital quality control safety data during its manufacture."

"People throughout the Pacific should be worried that such a discredited and untrustworthy company as BNFL is in charge of the safety of this deadly plutonium MOX shipment," said Heffernan. The Federated States of Micronesia will be the first Pacific Island nation directly threatened by the shipment of faulty MOX fuel as early as July 12th, when it nears its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Its Government is urging the UK and Japan to immediately reconsider their plan to transit through the region:

Meanwhile New Zealand has strongly reiterated its opposition to the plutonium MOX shipment: "We have advised both Britain and Japan of our opposition to such shipments through the Pacific," Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said. "New Zealand will continue... to insist that no shipment of nuclear fuel or waste should come within its 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone." Maps of the transit routes through the Pacific are available at: www.greenpeace.org

For more information:
In Fiji, time difference 11 hours GMT
Simon Boxer, Greenpeace Nuclear Campaigner, +31 629 001 132
Ang Heffernan, Greenpeace Pacific Nuclear Campaigner +679 99 22 044

In Japan, time difference 8 hours GMT
Shaun Burnie, Greenpeace International Nuclear Campaigner, +81 90 2253 7306
Mhairi Dunlop, Greenpeace International Press Co-ordinator, +81 90 2253 0327

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Press Releases Archive Links	Protest against plutonium shipment in Fiji. Pacific Nations Voice Strong Opposition to Plutonium Shipment 5 July, 2002 Tokyo, JAPAN: The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has issued a forceful statement today, reiterated its "continued strong opposition" to the shipment of the rejected plutonium MOX through its Exclusive Economic Zone. In its statement the FSM government expressed its concerns that the shipment, "will clearly pose a great risk to the livelihoods of the people and the marine ecosystem of the FSM." "It is apparent that the shipping nations continue to show disregard for these concerns and ignore their responsibility under international maritime law." The FSM Government statement follows last night's announcement by British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) that their rejected plutonium MOX shipment is to use the Pacific-Tasman Sea-South Africa route from Japan to the UK. Also today in Fiji the Prime Minister, Mr Qarase, expressed concern over the possibility of accidents involving the shipment and reiterated Fiji's ongoing opposition to the shipment through the region. In the Fiji capital Suva, protesters from Greenpeace Pacific and a coalition of human rights groups held a peaceful vigil outside the Japanese Embassy and formed a "procession of nuclear shame" to the British High Commission. In Canberra, Australia, Greenpeace today hung a banner reading "Stop Plutonium Shipment" from the roof of the Japanese Embassy to protest the Japanese governments' decision to ship plutonium through the Pacific and the Tasman Sea. Activists also displayed banners outside the British High Commission. Two activists were arrested. Greenpeace warns this will create an imminent security and environmental threat to the Pacific. The strong and vocal opposition by the countries of Latin and Central America, together with Caribbean nations prevents the plutonium ships from using those routes. "The nuclear shipping nations of Japan, UK and France arrogantly view the Pacific as the route of least resistance," said Greenpeace Pacific Nuclear Campaigner Ang Heffernan. "There is no justification for this rejected plutonium MOX shipment. It is only occurring because BNFL, which originally shipped this material from the UK through the Pacific to Japan in 1999, deliberately falsified vital quality control safety data during its manufacture." "People throughout the Pacific should be worried that such a discredited and untrustworthy company as BNFL is in charge of the safety of this deadly plutonium MOX shipment," said Heffernan. The Federated States of Micronesia will be the first Pacific Island nation directly threatened by the shipment of faulty MOX fuel as early as July 12th, when it nears its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Its Government is urging the UK and Japan to immediately reconsider their plan to transit through the region: Meanwhile New Zealand has strongly reiterated its opposition to the plutonium MOX shipment: "We have advised both Britain and Japan of our opposition to such shipments through the Pacific," Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said. "New Zealand will continue... to insist that no shipment of nuclear fuel or waste should come within its 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone." Maps of the transit routes through the Pacific are available at: www.greenpeace.org For more information: In Fiji, time difference 11 hours GMT Simon Boxer, Greenpeace Nuclear Campaigner, +31 629 001 132 Ang Heffernan, Greenpeace Pacific Nuclear Campaigner +679 99 22 044 In Japan, time difference 8 hours GMT Shaun Burnie, Greenpeace International Nuclear Campaigner, +81 90 2253 7306 Mhairi Dunlop, Greenpeace International Press Co-ordinator, +81 90 2253 0327 Back