Greenpeace activists arrested in seas-based protest against loading of Japanese plutonium fuel
Friday January 19th 2001, Cherbourg, France: Six Greenpeace France activists were arrested earlier today when they
entered the heavily protected secure zone around the nuclear transport freighter Pacific Pintail, in the port Cherbourg
on the Normandy coast.
The British flagged ship which arrived at 06.00 (CET) is currently being loaded with deadly plutonium/MOX fuel, in
readiness for a 30,000km voyage to Japan later today.
At around 9.30 am (CET), activists in Greenpeace inflatables and canoes carrying radiation symbols and a “Stop
Plutonium” banner evaded armed security to protest alongside the vessel. Swimmers carrying radiation symbol flags jumped
from the inflatables and approached the ship. The ship and plutonium cargo were being protected by around 30 French
armed marine commandos in 5 boats inside the security zone. A further 50 marine commandos were on the dockside.
The swimmers and canoeists were all arrested by the commandos after protesting for half an hour, but the inflatables
evaded security, despite being chased by sea borne French forces.
"The plutonium industry is out of control. Neither Japan nor France receive any benefit from this deadly trade, but both
governments and the nuclear industry are threatening the environment and health of millions of people living in coastal
communities along the entire 30,000km route by allowing this transport to go ahead. It’s time this madness was stopped.
”said Yannick Rousselet of Greenpeace in Cherbourg.
Notes to editors:
The Pacific Pintail is being loaded with four nuclear casks containing 28 assemblies of plutonium/MOX fuel. The MOX fuel
contains approximately 230kg of plutonium. The International Atomic Energy Agency classifies such plutonium/MOX as
Category 1 nuclear material, as it can be used directly to make nuclear weapons. Sufficient plutonium for over 20
nuclear weapons is contained in this the second Japanese MOX shipment.
For further information: Yannick Rousselet - Greenpeace France - Cherbourg: ++ (33) 06 8580 6559 Briefings on the
plutonium MOX issue are available at www.greenpeace.org/nuclear
Video and stills are available from: Footage (+31 20 52 49 543) and stills (+31 20 52 49 580). end
For information on Greenpeace please visit:
http://www.greenpeace.org
High-bandwidth users can view current and archive streaming Greenpeace videos at:
http://www.tappedintogreenpeace.org
To unsubscribe from this mailing list please visit: http://www.greenpeace.org/interact.shtml Take the link to:"leave
mailing list" -----------