5 July, 2002
The Pacific Concerns Resource Centre is appalled at the continued disregard by the British and Japanese governments to
years of opposition from the Pacific public over the plutonium shipments passing through the region.
"The shipment of these high-level radioactive materials through our waters must stop. Should there be a severe accident
leading to the breach of the casks, impact on the health, environment and economies of Pacific Island countries will be
devastating and irrecoverable," says PCRC environment campaigner Patrina Dumaru.
To date, nuclear transporters Japan, Britain and France continue to refuse to accept complete liability in the event of
an accident. This means the costs of any destruction or accident will be fully borne by the people and environment of
the Pacific.
"Our governments need to speak out against such risky activities. We applaud those who have publicly condemned the
shipments and urge Pacific Island governments to do the same," Dumaru said.
Previous shipments of high-level radioactive wastes (in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001) have travelled through Pacific waters
as nuclear powers have found us to be easy targets. There are plans for up to 30 shipments in the next 15 years, putting
us at great risk.
Because of strong protests from Caribbean and Latin American countries, past shipments have avoided the quickest route
through the Panama Canal. Last year a Federal Court of Appeal in Argentina ruled that the Argentinean Government take
steps to stop nuclear freighters entering Argentina's EEZ because of the possibility of "irreversible" damage to public
health and the environment.
Mounting pressure from en-route nations has also caused Japanese and Russian officials to begin negotiating an agreement
that could see nuclear materials shipped from Europe to Japan via the Arctic Ocean. The nuclear shipping nations are
feeling the heat so it is important Pacific Islands leaders and people keep up that pressure.
According to Greenpeace reports, the ship, containing 255 kilograms of plutonium, is expected to pass through the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Federated States of Micronesia and may breach the EEZ of other countries including
Fiji, Vanuatu and Nauru.
Ends