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
Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg Senator
The Honourable Bill Clinton
Dear President Clinton,
I am writing once again to ask that you do everything in your power to stop the shipment of intensely radioactive waste through the Caribbean. A shipment of high-level waste is now ready to leave France for Japan on a British-flagged ship. This waste will be transported via the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.
Fire, accident, storm or terrorist attack could result in the end of life as we know it here in the Caribbean. As a recent visitor to our beautiful islands, I know that you are aware of our fragile island ecosystems. Even a small accident involving this nuclear material could pose an environmental catastrophe and irreparably damage our reputation as a tourism destination.
The dangers inherent in such a shipment are obvious. While the State and Energy departments have assured us on your behalf that these shipments comply with internal safety regulations, the risk is simply too great. Many questions about safety remain unanswered and we in the Caribbean are
ill-prepared to deal with an accident of any magnitude.
Neither the U.S. nor any of the independent countries in the Caribbean derive any benefits from shipments of this type, however, once again we are being asked to endure the greatest risk. I urge you to declare the Caribbean Basin a nuclear free zone and prohibit radioactive waste from being transported through its waters.
I would be pleased to provide you with further information about this shipment and the growing tide of local opposition.
Sincerely,
Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg
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