N U C L E A R W A S T E S H I P M E N T T O J A P A N
The United States Virgin Islands
No. 026, January 15, 1998
Government Opposes Nuclear Waste Shipment
Governor Roy L. Schneider said Wednesday that he thoroughly opposes any shipment of nuclear waste through the Caribbean later this month.
The Governor said he was notified by Greenpeace International, an environmental organisation, and the Nuclear Control Institute that there are plans to ship the waste from France to Japan through the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. One of the possible routes is through the Anegada Passage between the United States and the British Virgin Islands.
"There are simply too many potential hazards," Governor Scheider said. "We have had a barge stuck on a reef off the National Park and releasing cement into the sea for nearly a month. We cannot take such a risk."
"The planned shipment poses serious environmental, safety and security risks to the Caribbean." Greenpeace and the Nuclear Control Institute said in a joint release. "An accident or terrorist attack involving the shipment could devastate the region's tourism, fishing, and commercial shipping industries."
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